Health Foundation announces emergency fund for pandemic needs at hospital

The Moose Jaw Health Foundation has created an emergency fund dedicated to supporting the highest priority needs at the Dr. F.H.

Wigmore Regional Hospital here in Moose

Jaw, and are calling on donations from the community to help.

The COVID-19 Pandemic Emergency Response Fund is meant to support frontline healthcare workers so they can continue their battle in treating coronavirus cases in the area.

“Every day the pandemic is changing and every day it seems the role of the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Hospital is changing as well,” said MJHF executive director Kelly McElree. “And so the pandemic fund is really designed to support the changing needs of patients and health care professionals as the pandemic continues to evolve.”

The MJHF Pandemic Emergency Response Fund will leverage the work of the Saskatchewan Health Authority and the provincial and federal governments, and help prepare Moose Jaw’s hospital for incoming coronavirus patients. “The Dr. F.H. Wigmore Hospital will play a key role in helping patients with critical care needs for all of southern Saskatchewan, in the provincial plan, so its vitally important that everyone helps out for the coming surge of patients,” said McElree.

The fund will be used to provide healthcare professionals at the hospital with the resources and equipment they need to give the best care to patients during this crisis, in both the intensive care unit and the emergency room. Specifically, the Health Foundation is looking to raise enough to purchase more critical care monitors for the ICU, a defibrillator and crash cart, and a telemetry system to use alongside critical care monitors.

“But as the needs change, so might that equipment, but rest assured that all those pieces of equipment will be used today to help patients and also leave a legacy of care for all future patients as well,” said McElree.

The MJHF welcomes donations from the community to help support the fund. All donations will stay in Moose Jaw, and donors will be recognized on the digital donor wall in the hospital lobby.

“A donation to the COVID-19 pandemic fund will be greatly appreciated,” said McElree.

Donations can be made through the Moose Jaw Health Foundation’s website at mjhf.org or by calling the office at 1 (306) 694-0373.

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