Angel Flight East Kootenay (AFEK) will get support in their efforts to bring patients to medical appointments free of charge with $300,000 from the B.C. government.
The provincial government said the money will be given out over the course of two years.
“Ensuring everyone living in B.C. receives the health care they deserve is a team effort, and that’s why we continue to work with partners like AFEK who make it easier for patients to access care throughout the East Kootenays by removing obstacles associated with travel,” said Adrian Dix, Minister of Health. “I’d also like to recognize MLA Clovechuk and the Regional District of East Kootenay for their ongoing support towards this initiative and those who worked so hard to promote the important work AFEK does.”
The organization offers free flights to patients in need of non-emergency medical services in Kelowna, Trail, and Penticton.
B.C. government officials said the funding is part of a pilot project to ensure AFEK can keep its services running into the future.
The money will help cover the cost of aircraft upgrades, maintenance and repairs in addition to paying for operations and programming.
The organization purchased a new aircraft last year, which has reduced the chances of weather-related flight cancellations and missed appointments.
“The Cessna 414A plane has made a huge impact by making our flights as safe and reliable as any carrier. In its first year of operations, we didn’t cancel a single flight due to weather,” said Brent Bidston, AFEK founder and board vice-chair. “With support from the Province, we can improve the stability of our organization as well as increase our operating capacity, so more people in the East Kootenay area can access the health services they need with fewer obstacles.”
The B.C. government said the organization had 110 flights in 2021 and grew to 570 in 2022.
“We are looking to help improve the lives of rural and remote people in British Columbia by attaining enhanced access to healthcare services,” said Jennifer Rice, Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Health. “It is crucial to help patients from rural and remote communities get to health appointments not available in their home communities.”
Columbia River-Revelstoke MLA Doug Clovechok is happy to see the local organization receive funding but feels more needs to be done to address the root issue.
“Angel Flight East Kootenay plays a vital role in bridging the gaps in health care access for rural residents, and I’m grateful for this new funding that will help them continue their important work,” said Clovechok. “However, we can’t ignore the fact that this funding is a mere Band-Aid solution to the much deeper problem of underfunded and understaffed healthcare facilities in our communities. We need more resources and better access to care, and we need them now.”
The RDEK has also pledged $100,000 per year for five years to Angel Flight.