Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital gets $1.4M to upgrade 'behind the walls'

Hospital received money for HVAC and sprinkler systems through Ontario infrastructure renewal fund

Yorkregion.com
Sept. 30, 2020
Kim Zarzour

Mackenzie Richmond Hill Hospital’s HVAC and sprinkler system will be upgraded and replaced thanks to $1,385,633 in funding from the provincial government.

The funding was announced in an online event Sept. 25.

The funds, from the Ontario Health Infrastructure Renewal Fund, will support critical upgrades to the sprinkler system and the replacement of air handling and air conditioning units at the hospital

Altaf Stationwala, president and chief executive of Mackenzie Health, said the continued funding to support infrastructure upgrades and maintenance at the Richmond Hill Hospital is essential.

“It’s challenging in a hospital because we are always trying to advance our agenda by buying new equipment and new technology. Sometimes we forget the need to invest in the things that are behind the walls but they’re fundamental to delivering advanced safe care.”

Mackenzie Health has been a busy hospital throughout the COVID-19 pandemic and well before that, said King-Vaughan MPP Stephen Lecce.

“They’ve risen to the challenge because of the great compassionate leadership of our front line workers who have gone above and beyond.”

Michael Tibollo, MPP for Vaughan Woodbridge and Associate Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, said the announcement shows that there’s always hope in our hospitals.

“Hospitals are critical to the care of the health of individuals in the province and also the mental wellness which is something that I’m extremely concerned about when it comes to the difficulties that we continue to see in the province,” he said.