Nunavut releases human anatomy glossary in 4 languages

Nunavut's Department of Culture and Heritage has released the first illustrated human anatomy glossary in the Inuit languages of Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. 

Minister Paul Okalik made the announcement Wednesday in the territory's legislature. He said the glossary will help patients, health professionals and medical interpreters communicate better.

"During times of stress, it is common for patients to revert to their first language, their mother tongue. Our elders have long been concerned about the quality of care when accessing health services in Inuktitut," Okalik said.

Okalik said the department worked with more than 75 elders, health professionals and interpreters from across Nunavut to name more than 400 medical terms in Inuktitut and Inuinnaqtun. 

Health centres will get copies of the human anatomy glossary. The Department of Health and Nunavut Arctic College will use the glossary to train medical interpreters, Okalik said.