The federal NDP says the Liberal government needs to address staffing shortages in the healthcare sector in Indigenous communities.

Local MP Niki Ashton says there is a humanitarian crisis happening in First Nations, particularly in remote and fly-in communities like Manto Sipi Cree Nation and Shamattawa First Nation.

Ashton discussed information obtained by the NDP, including how remote and isolated nursing stations managed by Indigenous Services Canada in Manitoba and Ontario have experienced reduced capacity due to staffing shortages in the past two months.

Additionally, the party cites a 68 per cent operational vacancy rate of public nursing jobs.

Nunavut MP Lori Idlout says the federal government must find more nurses to live and work in First Nations communities immediately.