The health region covering a significant part of northern Manitoba is currently in search of a new leader. Raj Sewda, the CEO of Northern Health Region, will be resigning from his position later this month, as officially announced by the region on January 6th. Although the exact date and reason for Sewda’s departure were not disclosed, it was confirmed that his resignation was accepted by the region’s board of directors.
In his statement, Sewda expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to serve the northern community and acknowledged the dedication and teamwork of his colleagues. The board chair, Kelsey Horrocks, also conveyed appreciation for Sewda’s service and commitment to the NHR.
Following the retirement of Helga Bryant, Sewda assumed the CEO role in March 2023. During his tenure, he managed the region’s response to last year’s northern wildfires, ensuring the safety of NHR facilities and residents in long-term care facilities who were temporarily relocated within Manitoba due to the fires.
Cam Ritzer has been appointed as the acting CEO of the region, taking over from Sewda. With a background as a paramedic and former council member for the College of Paramedics of Manitoba, Ritzer previously held the position of vice-president of health services, community, and continuing care at NHR.
While leading the region, Sewda faced various challenges, including safety concerns and facility issues. Despite efforts, Thompson General Hospital was grey-listed by the Manitoba Nurses Union in December due to safety incidents. Additionally, long-standing closures of services, such as obstetrics care at Flin Flon General Hospital, have yet to be reversed, causing inconvenience for expectant parents in the area.
Furthermore, allegations of racism in treatment within the region have been reported, highlighting the ongoing need for improvement in healthcare practices. The NHR continues to operate multiple health centers in northern Manitoba, collaborating with provincial and federally operated facilities to provide healthcare services to the community.