B.C.’s provincial health-care system faces criticism after the tragic death of a 23-year-old woman in Nanaimo. The mental health worker, identified as Sophia, showed signs of illness in March 2023 and took a leave from her job in June. Despite seeking medical help, including visits to a walk-in clinic and the city’s Urgent and Primary Care Centre, Sophia faced a series of misdiagnoses, including an initial diagnosis of an eating disorder. She visited Nanaimo Regional General Hospital twice, where the first diagnosis was hemorrhoids.
Tragically, Sophia was airlifted to St. Paul’s Hospital in Vancouver on her second visit and died two days later from sepsis on November 26, 2023. The infection had taken over her body by the time it was correctly identified. Sophia’s family, friends, and employer believe her death was preventable and have filed patient care complaints.
Paul Manly, the executive director of the shelter where Sophia worked, and her mother, Melonie, emphasize the need for accountability in her case. Patient care complaints have been filed with the College of Surgeons and Physicians and Island Health. The government and health officials acknowledge the seriousness of the case, with Premier David Eby stating that having a family doctor or nurse practitioner is crucial for proper care.
Conservative MLA Bruce Banman raised concerns about the overall health-care system in British Columbia during question period. Health Minister Adrian Dix acknowledged Sophia’s case as serious and mentioned an independent review process to bring answers and seek improvement in the system. The province claims to have hired 700 new family doctors in the past year to address healthcare needs.
Sophia’s tragic death has sparked calls for changes in the health-care system, with her family advocating for improvements to prevent similar incidents. They emphasize the importance of having a family doctor for regular and attentive care, expressing their hope for positive changes to avoid future tragedies.