OTTAWA - A probe into why dozens of body bags were sent to some Manitoba reserves last month has found no sign of "ill will" in what some took as a grim prognosis for the coming flu season.
A Health Canada investigation acknowledges the order of body bags for a remote nursing station was "disproportionately high in comparison to quantities in nursing stations across the country."
But the report says that's because nursing stations were advised to "order generously and fill supply rooms" ahead of a possible second wave of swine flu expected this fall.
"While body bags are an important medical supply (e.g., to prevent transmission of infection from a deceased person to others), the amount ordered for Wasagamack was a clear over-estimation," the report says.
"There was no evidence, however, of ill will or deliberate calculation on the NIC's or anyone else's part."
The nurse in charge for the Wasagamack First Nation in northern Manitoba initially ordered 100 body bags. However, only 38 were delivered.
But that was still more body bags than other nursing stations on reserves, which typically stock 10 bags or less, the report found.
The Health Canada investigation also found that five orders for body bags were placed by other Manitoba nursing stations in August and September.
But the department's records show all of those orders were on back-order and none were shipped.
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq said she is satisfied with the report's findings.
"It was a clear over-estimation and there was no evidence of ill will or deliberate calculation," she said.
"To prevent a similar situation from occurring again, Health Canada will introduce stricter controls governing the procurement process for body bags. Health Canada officials will also review the ordering practices for nursing stations as part of regular site visits.
"I am pleased both with the deputy minister's findings and the department's response and I am confident that everything possible has been done to ensure that it will not happen again."
