Construction is expected to start this year on the Northern Lights Regional Health Centre’s new minimally invasive surgical suites.
The $6.3 million project will upgrade four of the current operating rooms into state-of-the-art operating theatres – attracting highly skilled surgeons to the region.
The Northern Lights Health Foundation helped raise the funds through their Gratitude Campaign.
“We do internal surgeries for gallbladder removals, things like that, but you can do a whole lot more through minimally invasive surgery,” said Cindy Amerongen, NLHF Executive Director.
This was the most expensive project in the Gratitude campaign, receiving funds from multiple groups including the municipality.
When the work is finished, patients will no longer have to travel out of the region if a specific surgery is needed.
Amerongen says the community has waited too long for this service.
“That’s the opportunity that this community has been wanting – right now you have to go down the road or out of province and we can bring surgeons in here to do those surgeries.”
Meanwhile, the NLHF recently announced construction has started on the new palliative care suites.
LISTEN: On this edition of Fort McMurray Matters, the @NorLightsHealth talks about their upcoming Hospital Bed Race event, while also giving an update on multiple projects happening at the hospital #ymm #rmwb https://t.co/cf2wjFlBRs
– MIX 103.7 News (@Mix1037FMNews) September 17, 2019