PRPA Helps Provide Northwest Newborns and Mothers with Specialized Care Closer to Home

Press Release

NOVEMBER 13, 2024

PRINCE RUPERT, BRITISH COLUMBIA – The Prince Rupert Port Authority’s (PRPA) Community Investment Fund is helping transform healthcare for vulnerable newborns, mothers, and their families in northwest BC. Through a partnership with the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation, PRPA is committing $430,000 to the region’s first ever Tier 3 Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Special Care Nursery. This investment will help keep patients closer to their homes, families, and support systems during their most physically and emotionally challenging days.

The $14.5 million state-of-the-art facility will soon open at the new Ksyen Regional Hospital in Terrace to serve mothers and babies from Atlin and Dease Lake to the north and Kitimat to the south; Smithers and Houston to the east and Prince Rupert and Haida Gwaii to the west.

“The NICU and Special Care Nursery will save many at-risk patients the hazards and stress of being medically evacuated to Vancouver or Prince George and spare their families the complexities and financial burdens of travelling to an unfamiliar place to be with their loved ones during a traumatic time,” said Shaun Stevenson, President and CEO, Prince Rupert Port Authority. “We are honoured to help provide greater access to high-level care and better outcomes for people from across northwest BC.”

“Over the last 3.5 years, 93 mothers with a birth emergency were transferred out of our region to hospitals with higher level of care. 55 newborns made this same precarious journey. That is 148 families who coped with the stress of separation and travel associated with these transfers,” said Chris Mallett, Dr. REM Lee Foundation President. “The goal is to reduce the cost and trauma for other northern families like these!”

The new NICU and Special Care Nursery will offer an advanced level of obstetrical and neonatal services. With expanded birthing capabilities, the unit will be able to support deliveries and newborn care at 34 weeks, and in emergent cases 32 weeks – five weeks ahead of existing capacities.

With this project, PRPA has now contributed over $500,000 to Dr. REM Lee Foundation’s initiatives to enhance regional healthcare. Since the Community Investment Fund’s inception, PRPA has committed more than $1.65 million to projects that improve the quality of care and comfort for northwest BC residents of all ages.

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ABOUT THE COMMUNITY INVESTMENT FUND

The Community Investment Fund is financed by a share of the Prince Rupert Port Authority’s annual net income that has been dedicated to improving the quality of life for residents of the North Coast. By investing these funds into community projects, led mostly by dedicated local volunteers, the Port Authority has been able to share its financial success with the communities that enable it. Since 2010, more than $18.9 million has been committed to the Fund, helping to bring more than 115 local and regional projects to life. Each of these projects has filled an important role in supporting recreation, health and wellness, arts and culture, youth, education, the environment, and other needs in the community.

PAST HEALTHCARE PROJECTS: