Health and Wellness Minister Gene Zwozdesky announced $1.4 billion in provincial support to go towards 22 health facility projects in 15 different communities over the next three years.
The funding announcement is Phase 1 of a two-phased 2010-2013 Health Capital Plan. Phase 1 deals with medium-sized cities and rural locations. Phase 2 deals with projects in Edmonton and Calgary.
“Phase 2 is something that we’re working on right now,” Zwozdesky said. “It will reflect Edmonton and Calgary and that will be coming out in the not too distant future.”
Infrastructure Minister Ray Danyluk said the province isn’t wasting time getting started on the new projects outside of the two major cities.
“The new projects that we’re working on begin today,” he said. “Whether it be planning, the design work, the land acquisition, or construction. Our focus will be on constructing buildings that work well for patients, that work well for health professionals, and work well for communities.”
The three-year Health Capital Plan also includes an additional $375 million for vaccines, health system development, diagnostic imaging strategy and electronic health records.
