A step forward for wellness
New facility in Fort Providence opens its doors
April Hudson
Northern News Services
Thursday, June 18, 2015
DEH GAH GOT'IE KOE/FORT PROVIDENCE
The community of Fort Providence is welcoming a new health centre more than 40 years after the original facility was built.
The health centre was officially unveiled on June 16, in true traditional style with a fire feeding and ribbon cutting ceremony as well as a community barbecue, hosted by the Deh Gah Got'ie Dene Council.
Health Minister Glen Abernethy, public administrator Jim Antoine and Deh Gah Got'ie Koe Chief Joachim Bonnetrouge were on hand to witness the opening, after two years of planning and construction.
The new facility is 6,800 square metres in size and will house the entire 14 staff members of the Dehcho Health and Social Services Authority (DHSSA).
"Previously, our social services and mental health were off-site," explained DHSSA CEO Donna Allen.
However, despite that, Allen said the authority will have the same number of staff as before. Additionally, the centre is not expected to be offering any new services.
"We're really just replacing a previous health centre building and bringing all the staff into one building," Allen said.
The building itself is an energy-efficient construct built with a similar design to the new health centre in the works for Fort Resolution.
"It's all built to the latest code and standards. The new facilities are all going to have the same sort of look and feel, based on the number of people in the community and the services offered to the community," Allen said.
"They're not exactly the same because there are some regional differences, but the footprint is basically the same."
The new facility offers a full range of health services, with community health nurses on site along with mental health counsellors and child protection workers.
Deh Cho MLA Michael Nadli was not in attendance at the grand opening, but said in legislature on June 4 that he wants to see the government work with Deh Cho residents to bring in programs and services.
"I think it would be an improvement to include an assessment of the programs and services likely being offered and what new ones might be suitable," he said at the time.
Abernethy has said he will move to establish wellness camps in the Deh Cho so the government can continue to get input from residents, although Allen said there are no plans yet for those camps.
