By Pam Wright
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The Chatham-Kent Health Alliance has received nearly $2-million from the province to spend on capital projects.
According to the alliance’s chief financial officer Aaron Ryan, the bulk of the money will be split between upgrades at the Wallaceburg and Chatham sites.
A portion of the funding will be spent on new air conditioning at the Chatham facility and some of the money will also be used for asbestos abatement in Wallaceburg where a new ambulatory care unit is being created.
Ryan said $1 million of the money comes through the Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund and the remaining $900,000 comes under an “exceptional circumstances grant.”
The ambulatory services clinic in Wallaceburg should be open for patients by the new year.
Overall, the Ontario government is investing more than $7.1 million to support hospitals and critical health-care providers in the region with infrastructure upgrades and repairs.
This funding is part of the government’s $182.6 million province-wide investment, it said is to ensure patients continue receiving the care they need in safe, comfortable environments and that local health care systems are prepared to respond to any scenario as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to evolve.
“The announcement is another demonstration of the commitment our government has made to ensure residents of Lambton-Kent-Middlesex – and all our communities – continue to receive the health care they need now, and in the future,” Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Monte McNaughton said in a media release.
Through the Community Infrastructure Renewal Fund, more than $65,000 in additional resources will be provided to the Chatham-Kent Community Health Centres, and nearly $79,000 to Westover Treatment Centre to support infrastructure projects that improve the recipient organizations’ facilities and operations.
