HAMIOTA — Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara got an earful when they appeared before residents in this western Manitoba town Friday, to address shortcomings with its emergency care centre.

The minister, appearing beforeroughly 75 people in the community centre, spent an hour responding to questions, comments and concerns.

Robin Johnston, a Hamiota resident in his 80s, complained that his wife Bette waited two and a half hours for an ambulance response, and said he believed it led to her death.

“Everybody here should be cheering that we should have an ambulance,” he said. “It would have saved my wife’s life.”

Asagwara acknowledged the concern.

“We know there is a shortage,” Asagwara said. “We agree. We think you should have an ambulance in your community, absolutely.”

The comments were no

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