The pandemic has exacerbated the Indian Health Service’s decadeslong weaknesses and has contributed to disproportionately high infections and death rates among Native Americans. The hospital is federally run by the Indian Health Service, based in Rockville, Maryland. Smith said the Indian Health Service’s dislike of small hospitals also factored into the agency’s decisions. He said the Indian Health Service’s inability to adequately staff the hospital prompted its closing. Herrera said an arrangement was negotiated with the Indian Health Service to assure that full services at the hospital would remain available until February.

Source: bd News24 January 04, 2021 09:56 UTC