RSS
ATHABASCA HEALTH AUTHORITY NEWS RELEASE
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, April 25, 2002
Cameco Corporation and Cogema Resources Inc., two of the largest producers of uranium in the world, announced today that they have made a combined donation of $200,000 to aid in the completion of the Athabasca Health Facility.
Yutthé Dene Nakóhódí "A Place to Heal Northern People", is the name of the new Athabasca Health Facility being constructed on the Chicken Reserve near Stony Rapids, Saskatchewan. It is a regional emergency and acute care, long-term care and community health facility that will serve the residents of the Athabasca Health Authority, the most northern health region in Saskatchewan.
"Although our company does business around the globe, we are committed to being involved in our community," said Bernard Michel, Cameco's chair and chief executive officer. "We are pleased to partner with our friends and neighbours in northern Saskatchewan as they complete this modern but uniquely northern health facility that will help their community build a better future for everyone."
"Cogema Resources is committed to building healthy communities," says Tim Gitzel, President and CEO of Cogema Resources Inc. "Our company has a history of assisting local communities through sponsorships and donations. In the past, we have made major donations to projects such as the La Ronge Health Centre, the Clearwater River Dene Nation Treatment Centre, and the La Loche Health Centre. We are very honoured to be a part of the Athabasca Health Facility."
The Athabasca Health Authority is one of the first health authorities in Canada to have established integrated federal, provincial and First Nations health services. It is the first time a provincial government has agreed to build a hospital on reserve. Partnerships have been a key element of the project since the formation of the steering committee in 1994.
"All along we have been building partnerships and relationships. They are very important to the support and success of this unique project," adds Georgina MacDonald, CEO of the Athabasca Health Authority. "It has been a cooperative effort and I am grateful to the friendships we have with supporters like Cameco and Cogema. Our fundraising goal is $1 million and the contributions from Cameco and Cogema are the first donations to help us meet our goal."
The new full-service facility will provide a setting for both modern and traditional native health care practices, and provide an integrated and holistic manner to support, nurture and restore physical, mental, spiritual and emotional health. Traditional values, concepts and health practices will be maintained, respected and understood in partnership with contemporary health care. The 4,000 residents will enjoy equal access to quality services that are comparable to provincial and federal standards, while being culturally appropriate.
The donations from Cameco and Cogema will be used to purchase equipment and furnishings for the new facility. Construction is scheduled to be complete by November 2002.
| For more information contact: | |
|
Georgina MacDonald CEO, Athabasca Health Authority Phone: (306) 284-4911 E-mail: gmacdonaldaha@sk.sympatico.ca |
|