Re-elected Premier David Eby promised more for rural health care after narrowly winning a majority in the provincial election, but Kootenay East Regional Hospital District (KERHD) Chair David Wilks says “proof is in the pudding.”
Wilks is hopeful for what the re-elected NDP government has in store for rural health care, but they need to have a plan to meet local needs.
“The southeast corner of B.C. has an opportunity to be a shining star for the government, in that they can work into the future instead of reacting to the here and now,” said Wilks.
“If you look at the oncology and renal department, I’m guessing that it’s probably going to be announced sometime in the near future. They have an opportunity to look at putting radiation here.”
The NDP lost a lot of rural support in the 2024 election, and Wilks says they have a chance to show more support for rural residents.
“The government that was elected this time is on thin ice because of how the election is structured. They don’t have a very strong majority,” said Wilks.
“They have an opportunity to do something in rural British Columbia. The stage is set for oncology and renal here, now we can do something to add radiation.”
Teck, now Elk Valley Resources, has donated $15 million towards a new radiation treatment facility at the East Kootenay Regional Hospital.
“$15 million is not chump change. They [the B.C. government] should be at least taking a serious look at it and recognizing that we in the southeast corner deserve this,” said Wilks.
“The BC NDP could have easily come here during the election with Premier Eby, but they didn’t. The proof is in the pudding – we believe there is an opportunity and this is a way to show that health care in rural British Columbia means something.”
Wilks says he’s optimistic for the future, but it’s up to the provincial government to do its part.
“The ball is in their court now. The oncology and renal unit will be approved, it’s gone far enough that it will be approved. Now, do they have the wherewithal to include radiation with it? My bet is that they don’t have the guts to do it,” said Wilks.
“They have an opportunity to do something right here and be futuristic, and recognize that this hospital board is ready to work with them, but first they have to figure out where we are on the map.”
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