Budget 2021: Province announces $143-million towards health facilities

“This investment in improving the quality of care in Alberta will pay dividends for years to come, starting with our most vulnerable – premature newborns – where the need for expanded services is great,” adds Dr. Braun.

The province says an $18 million investment will go towards “a new cyclotron and southern Alberta’s first radiopharmaceutical manufacturing facility in Calgary.”

A $59-million project at Calgary’s Rockyview General Hospital was also announced to redevelop and relocate the intensive care unit and coronary care unit to one joint expanded space with 25 beds, up from its current 17 beds.

Previous story: 2021 Alberta budget revealed with “record” health spending, no new taxes

In Northern Alberta, La Crete is getting a new $35-million community health centre with more space to provide primary and ambulatory care, maternal health care, mental health and diagnostic services.

$8 million is going towards demolishing the unused High Prairie Health Complex and prepare the land for future development.

In the press conference, Molly and Patrick Wilding and their child Gianna told the story of how the NICU at Foothills helped save Gianna’s life and the treatment at the NICU.

Gianna was born prematurely at 23 weeks and six days gestation, weighing one pound six ounces, which is “unusually small,” according to Molly.

The Wilding’s couldn’t thank the NICU at Foothills enough, saying “the NICU staff helped us so much walk through so many heart-wrenching situations,” Molly added.

Previous story: Budget 2021: Funding boost to result in creation of new continuing care spaces in Alberta

As part of the 2021 Budget, these announcements are among the many investments into health facilities in the province.

by Connor Gunn

Budget 2021: Province announces $143-million towards health facilities

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