Two rural hospitals located north of Airdrie are part of a $50 million commitment from the Alberta government to modernize and improve rural health care facilities in all five health zones in the province to ensure Albertans have access to quality health services.  

Yesterday (March 17) Alberta announced the Rural Health Facilities Revitalization Fund will support upgrades and renovation projects in Alberta Health Services (AHS) hospitals and facilities.  Those facilities include emergency departments, sterilization and medical device reprocessing areas, pharmacies, EMS stations, ambulance garages and medical laboratories.

In the Calgary zone of AHS, the Didsbury Hospital is getting $4.2 million to renovate its mental health and public health space and consolidate rehabilitation medicine in one location.

In the Central zone, the Olds Hospital and Care Centre will receive $1 million to upgrade the medical device reprocessing area, including cart washers and washer-disinfector.

Premier Jason Kenney says, “Rural communities help make our province thrive and grow. This investment protects the lives and health of people living in these communities and also protects livelihoods by creating jobs as part of our multi-billion-dollar Capital Plan to build Alberta and prepare it for recovery from COVID-19.  Alberta’s government is committed to spending $50-million over three years to address often neglected rural health care needs and facilities.”

In total, 15 rural health facilities in the five zones of AHS will receive funds allocated in Budget 2021.  AHS identified the priority projects that each ring in at under $5 million and will move forward during the next three years.  The projects are expected to create about 200 construction jobs to stimulate local economies.   

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