NEW HEALTH CENTRE OPENS IN ATHABASCA BASIN

Residents of the Athabasca Basin are celebrating the official opening of a new $12.7 million health facility today.

The new facility offers a range of services, including a 14 bed inpatient resident care unit, with acute care, birthing and long-term care beds; emergency and ambulatory care services; a full complement of community services including public and mental health, addictions therapy and traditional healing; and radiology and laboratory services.

"This facility is an excellent example of how our Action Plan for Saskatchewan Health Care, which was released in December 2001, is improving the quality of health services and access to care, while ensuring our health service is sustainable into the future," Health Minister John Nilson said. "The new Athabasca Health Facility will provide patients with the priority care they need, promoting quality and accessibility to vital health care services in this region."

Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger said the new health facility also demonstrates the government of Saskatchewan's commitment to implementing a Northern Health Strategy.

"The cornerstone of this strategy for Northern Saskatchewan is meeting the challenges of service delivery," Belanger said. "The key to implementing this strategy is community collaboration and this project is an excellent example of that because everyone came together in the true spirit of co-operation."

Churchill River MP Rick Laliberte, speaking on behalf of Federal Health Minister Anne McLellan, said this project is further evidence of the Government of Canada's commitment to deliver high quality health care services to First Nations and other northern residents, no matter where they live.

"The new Athabasca Health Facility is an inclusive, on-reserve facility that will provide vital health care services to Northern Saskatchewan communities," Laliberte said. "This facility clearly shows how communities working together can define northern-driven innovation that serves as a fine example for remote communities across Canada."

Athabasca Health Authority Chairperson Albert Mercredi said the new health centre was the result of a lot of hard work, planning and co-operation.

"The facility and the services offered here were developed with the needs of local residents in mind," Mercredi said. "It is a place where traditional values and concepts are integrated with contemporary health care services to provide a unique, community-centred facility."

The Athabasca Health Facility is located on the Chicken Indian Reserve adjacent to the northern hamlet of Stony Rapids. The facility replaces the Uranium City hospital and brings a number of health services in the Athabasca Basin under one roof.

The provincial government contributed $11.9 million to the project. In addition the community has raised $800,000. The Federal Government's contribution is provided in an $11.2 million payment to the Province of Saskatchewan designated in 1996 for the construction of health facilities in the Athabasca Basin, La Ronge, and Fort Qu'Appelle.

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For More Information, Contact:

Mark Rathwell Health Regina Phone: (306)787-4083