New community health centre opens its doors in Sandy Lake First Nation

Tim Brody - Editor

A new community health centre in Sandy Lake First Nation, which opened on Oct. 25, is expected to bring “a new era of modern health services” to the community.
At over 1,765 square metres, the Sandy Lake Community Health Center will serve over 2600 residents living in the remote, fly-in community.
“The facility will ensure that more Sandy Lake residents are able to access health services in their community, reducing health outcome disparities and enabling them to get healthcare when and where they want,” an Oct. 25 media release from Indigenous Services Canda (ISC) explained.
ISC further noted, “The Community Health Center provides the expanded space, services, and technology required to meet the growing needs of the community. Replacing a smaller, aging health centre and health professional accommodations, the new Centre brings the community’s health services together under one roof. It houses the community’s primary health care services, dental care, vision care, and addictions treatment services. The building is equipped with modern technology that supports its operations onsite as well as telemedicine to deliver health services remotely. The funding will also improve access to diverse healthcare services. The new build includes two detached apartment buildings—with 10 units each—to house nursing staff and health care professionals visiting the community to provide care.”
Indigenous Services Canada provided over $50 million to support this community-led project. 
“The Sandy Lake Community Health Center brings us together in one place where our culture and traditions are intertwined with modern medical services. The Centre is a new, spacious facility that improves access to health services for everyone in our community. I am grateful to all who helped create this new space, which will be used for healing, wellness, and recovery. The Health Center will be a cornerstone of our community. It ushers in improved health care for the people of today and for generations to come,” stated Sandy Lake First Nation Chief Delores Kakegamic.
“Supporting First Nations to develop modern, culturally appropriate, in-community health facilities is an important step in closing the health care gap. Congratulations to Sandy Lake First Nation and the project team for their work and dedication to see the Sandy Lake Community Health Center open its doors,” stated Minister of Indigenous Services Patty Hajdu.
ISC shared that, “The former community health centre and health professional accommodations will be re-purposed by the community to run additional health programming and administration.”