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6mo ago

Alberta Puts $59 Million Into South Zone Cardiac and ICU Expansion

Budget 2026 moves the project into early construction to bring specialized care closer to patients who now face transfers to Calgary.

Herald Photo by Alejandra Pulido-Guzman Premier Danielle Smith announces an investment of $59 million over three years to expand cardiac services and intensive care capacity Monday at Chinook Regional Hospital.
Herald photo by ALEJANDRA PULIDO-GUZMAN Lead physician of the Cardiac Sciences for Alberta Health Services South Zone, Dr. Sayeh Zielke, speaks about the Bringing Hearts Home campaign alongside Premier Danielle Smith and Ministers Matt Jones and Nate Horner, Monday at Chinook Regional Hospital.

Overview

  • The commitment funds a new cardiac catheterization lab in Lethbridge and additional intensive-care and diagnostic capacity at Chinook Regional Hospital and Medicine Hat Regional Hospital.
  • The project advances from planning to early construction under Budget 2026, with final capacity and timelines contingent on design and construction outcomes.
  • Subject to final design, Chinook Regional is anticipated to reach up to 54 ICU beds and Medicine Hat 18, and the Lethbridge lab is expected to serve about 1,500 to 1,700 patients annually.
  • More than 1,300 southern Albertans are currently transferred to Calgary for cardiac services, a burden officials say the expansion is intended to ease.
  • The initiative builds on $5 million for planning in Budget 2025 and community fundraising that has collected roughly $25 million toward a $30‑million goal.