HEALTH CENTRE CONSTRUCTION UNDERWAY

Released on November 19, 2001

People in the Athabasca Basin will soon have access to a range of health

care services under one roof.



Community members today hosted ceremonies celebrating construction for a

new health centre on the Chicken Reserve near Stony Rapids. The Athabasca

Health Facility will replace the current Uranium City Hospital built in

1956.



Members of the community, community leaders, First Nations leaders,

representatives of the Athabasca Health Authority, Health Minister John

Nilson, Northern Affairs Minister Buckley Belanger and a federal government

representative from the office of local Member of Parliament Rick

Laliberté, witnessed and participated in the ceremonies that included a

blessing by Denesuline Elders and a traditional celebration feast.



Health care services offered through the new facility will include:



acute care and long-term care;

emergency/out-patient care;

community services including public and mental health, addictions

therapy and traditional healing; and

radiology and laboratory services.



"We have been planning for this facility for many years and I am proud to

say it is now becoming a reality," Athabasca Health Authority Chairperson

Janet Holmgren said. "This facility will be a hub for the range of

holistic services that are provided in Athabasca region."



"The top priority of this government is our commitment to an accessible,

quality health care system," Nilson said. "I commend everyone involved in

this project for working together to realize a vision of healthier

communities



"This new facility will be equipped with the latest medical tools and

technology to provide both acute care and community health services,"

Churchill River MP Rick Laliberté said, on behalf of Federal Health

Minister Alan Rock. "It will be a place where traditional values, concepts

and practices are valued alongside contemporary health care. In the Speech

from the Throne, the Government of Canada made a commitment to help

Canadians maintain and improve their health. The Athabasca Health Facility

is a prime example of partnership in action to achieve this objective."



The project is the direct result of co-operation and financial support from

the federal, provincial and First Nations governments and community members.



The cost of the project will be $12.4 million. The local contribution for

the project will total $800,000. The provincial contribution will be

approximately $8 million. In 1996, the federal government provided $11.2

million for three new facilities, including the Athabasca Health Facility.



It is anticipated the new facility will be completed early in 2003.



Funding for this project was provided for in previous budgets and is

therefore built into the existing financial framework.



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For more information, contact:



Myrna Stark Leader

Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4083



Morgan Fontaine

Health Canada

Winnipeg

Phone: (204) 983-3028



Georgina MacDonald

Athabasca Health Authority

Black Lake Reserve

Phone: (306) 284-4911