Darrell Greer
Northern News Services

Rankin Inlet (Sep 21/05) - With one slice of an ulu, the Kivalliq Health Centre became a reality in Rankin Inlet this past week, ending decades of waiting.

Premier Paul Okalik and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq cut the ribbon to officially open the new Kivalliq Health Centre in Rankin Inlet.

Premier Paul Okalik and Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq cut the ribbon to the centre, surrounded by a line of Kivalliq mayors and hundreds of applauding residents.

Rankin Mayor Lorne Kusugak told the gathering he remembers hearing his mother say how much a regional hospital was needed while he was still a young boy.

"Not too long from now I'll be using a cane to get around, but we finally have a new regional hospital," said Kusugak. "We're proud to be the host community of such a fine facility.

"This government and those previous to it have worked hard to set up health centres such as this across our regions."

Okalik said the Kivalliq region has been waiting too long for the arrival of its new facility.

The premier made the trip for the grand opening despite being injured at a hockey game only days before.

"We've gone through a number of governments trying to make this hospital happen and I'm very proud to see it finalized," said Okalik.

The $20-million facility houses 10 to 13 beds, including three birthing, one palliative and one nursery.

There will be 71 full- and part-time staff capable of providing out-patient, maternity, laboratory and emergency services.

Over the next few months, the centre will also offer acute pediatric, in-patient and palliative care, none of which have ever been available in the Kivalliq before.

Minister Aglukkaq said the new Kivalliq Health Centre means Kivallimmiut will no longer need to travel outside Nunavut as much to access essential care.

"The Kivalliq Health Centre brings health-care providers together under one roof," said Aglukkaq.

"But, the centre is also about people -- about Kivallimmiut getting health care delivered in familiar settings in their own language and culture. It also means less stress for patients and their families, which is an important part of a complete health-care program."