Improving Maternal and Infant Healthcare Access for Indigenous Communities in Remote Areas in Ontario

Abstract

This literature review discusses maternal birth evacuations and infant mortality among Indigenous women in Canada. Maternal evacuation policies are meant to improve the health outcomes of mothers and infants, but have brought feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and cultural displacement among Indigenous women. (Lawford et al., 2018). These policies negatively impact breastfeeding and giving birth in a culturally-sensitive manner (Silver et al., 2021). Indigenous infants are also hospitalised more often than their non-Indigenous peers, due to unmet health care needs (He et al., 2017). These include the addressing of the Indigenous health perspective, revitalisation of midwifery service, and cultural safety training for health care providers in Ontario. Yet, many systemic barriers to success exist, such as a lack of infrastructure, long wait times, and discrimination. Increasing Indigenous-led facilities, blending traditional and modern medical practices, and improving access to remote services are crucial to providing equitable and culturally safe health care (Kozhimannil, 2020). Reducing maternal health disparities and infant mortality requires coordinated efforts from Indigenous organisations, health care providers, and policymakers.