Richard Froese
South Peace News
Big Lakes County supports a not-for-profit medical centre being built in Grande Prairie to provide better services and professionals for residents in the Peace region.
At its regular meeting Oct 23, council approved a motion that council forward a letter of support for Maskwa Medical Center and its vision of accommodating the University of Alberta teaching clinic for team-based diagnosis of complex health symptoms.
Reeve Tyler Airth says the centre is good for the region.
“It’s more for the clinical and specialists,” Airth says.
“Edmonton has similar clinics.”
Joussard Councillor Richard Mifflin agrees.
“Everybody has to realize, it’s going to be for our area – for the north,” Mifflin says.
Maskwa is an innovative Alberta-based not-for-profit registered charity committed to accelerate the process to improve access to medical specialists and family physicians, led by residents of the Peace region, says Joe Zdeb, director of corporate services.
“Maskwa is brought together by a shared common goal of improving health outcomes for northern communities,” Zdeb says.
Board chairman Ken Drysdale outlined the project and benefits as a delegation to council at its regular meeting July 24.
The clinic is schedule to open in 2026.
Municipalities have been asked by Maskwa to help fund the building project.
However, council table a motion for six months – to support the capital costs of building the centre by entering a three-year funding agreement for equal payments in the amount of $282,540 in 2025, 2026 and 2027.
North Gilwood – Triangle Councillor Jim Zabolotniuk first suggested council not commit to funding at the current stage.
“I think it’s too early to put in any money,” Zabolotniuk says.
“We should wait until the building is complete, then consider funding.”
The Maskwa board calculated the annual contribution from municipalities with funding of $170 per resident based on the latest population census data.
Council also approved a letter of support to Maskwa written by Airth on behalf of council.
“Your commitment to expand access to medical specialists and primary care physicians aligns with our community’s goals for improved healthcare services,” Airth states in the letter.
“Council appreciates Maskwa’s innovative approach and vision, particularly the inclusion of a University of Alberta teaching clinic and a team-based diagnostic centre for addressing complex health issues.
He says Big Lakes supports the plans integrate educational components with the U of A.
“Big Lakes applauds Maskwa Medical Center’s mission to provide comprehensive diagnostic care,” Airth says.
“This in a significant step toward building healthcare capacity within our region.”
The Maskwa centre will accommodate a specialist clinic for streamlined treatment plans, a retail floor with pharma, medical supplies and daycare will be accessed, as well as a teaching clinic, which aims to reduce emergency room visits by 50 per cent, provide new family physicians and continue to provide the education to aspiring physicians who wish to stay in the region.
“We presented our team-based healthcare approach, which is proven to obtain results in other jurisdictions across North America and the world,” Drysdale says in a letter to council.
“With your support, our vision will create opportunities for our youth in health care and improve the long-term health of our residents in northwestern Alberta over the next decade and beyond.”
He says the project and support is urgent.
“As leaders, we cannot wait for the government to achieve the goals we have envisioned – rather, we can band together to make those changes a reality,” Drysdale says.
“Maska currently has a stakeholder committee of local municipalities and we would be honoured if Big Lakes County could elect a representative to join the committee.”
He says, it’s a made-in-Alberta solution.
“Led by residents of the Peace region, Maskwa is brought together by a shared common goal of improving health outcomes for northern communities,” Drysdale states in a powerpoint presentation.
Maskwa is governed by a board of directors and is accountable to the Government of Alberta for its billing to Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan for the services of physicians and specialists in the diagnosis of diseases and as its use to other public funds to provide services.
The new innovative not-for-profit model will help the region to:
-Improve quality of care for patients in the region.
-Not only help retain, but also attract physicians and doctors to the area.
-Control, not increase, overall healthcare costs for the healthcare system and will reduce long-term healthcare costs.
As presented on the Maskwa website, the project is also supported by the M.D. of Smoky River, Northern Sunrise County, M.D. of Peace, Town of Valleyview and the M.D. of Greenview.