Calls for an investigation are growing after a Manitoba First Nation man woke up after surgery at a Winnipeg hospital two weeks ago and reportedly discovered the wrong leg had been amputated.

Jason Kennedy, 48, of Bloodvein First Nation, was scheduled to have his right leg amputated due to a bone infection at Grace Hospital on October 31.

The former commercial fisherman woke up to find that his left leg, below the knee, had been amputated.

The Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) says it is “deeply concerned” and is calling for a full investigation into what happened. The CMA, which is asking to participate in the review process, says systemic problems lead to avoidable errors and contribute to inequities in health services for First Nations people.

“We must ensure that First Nations are fully represented in the review of this incident and that meaningful steps are taken to prevent such errors from happening again,” the CMA said.

The CMA is calling on the Manitoba government to implement cultural competency and anti-racism training for health care providers.

“We cannot continue to accept incidents like this as being a one-time mistake or a simple error that is corrected by a simple apology to the patient,” AMC Acting Grand Chief Kennedy said in a statement.

“First Nations patients are not meant to be learning opportunities for the system. »

In a press release TuesdayThe Southern Chiefs’ Organization (SCO) called the incident a “disturbing and nightmarish mistake” and said it was an example of “systemic inequity and failings” in health care delivery to members of the First Nations.

Bloodvein First Nation is located approximately 280 kilometers north of Winnipeg on the eastern shore of Lake Winnipeg.