NDP leader Ryan Meili says it’s time for Health Minister Jim Reiter to step up and not only provide an apology on behalf of the government, but launch a public inquiry into suicides in Saskatchewan. This is in conjunction to Samwel Uko’s death.

Uko’s uncle Justin Nyee says the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s apology was received by voicemail on July 24th when he was in British Columbia. Nyee said there was never a follow-up from the SHA, and that he was never contacted by Minister Reiter or Premier Scott Moe.

The Health Minister, in the wake of the conversation the NDP had with Samwel Uko’s uncle, reiterated the government and the Saskatchewan Health Authority’s apologies.

Samwel Uko was seeking mental health supports when he was turned away from a hospital in Regina and then took his life in Wascana Lake.

Jim Reiter says the SHA travelled, in July, to British Columbia to meet with Samwel’s immediate family to extend an apology and consult with them prior to issuing a public apology. The Minister says the SHA has also made efforts to provide counselling support to the immediate family as well, is working on putting a quality improvement plan in place.

The NDP noted that 144 people on average die by suicide each year in the province, however in northern Saskatchewan, suicide is the leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 49.