FORT MCMURRAY, Alta. — Health officials say residents of a northern Alberta city ravaged by wildfire in May now have access to most of the health-care services that were available before the blaze.
The Northern Lights Regional Health Centre’s cancer clinic reopened on Monday and Alberta Health Services says there are no longer any health service-related concerns for residents returning to the city.
AHS says all beds are open on each unit of the health centre, dialysis services resumed June 22 and all long-term care patients are back home.
David Matear, senior operating director for AHS's area 10, says access to health care is a huge factor in people's decision to return to Fort McMurray.
A wildfire The fire spread into the oilsands capital on May 3 and forced more than 80,000 people to leave for nearly a month.
It destroyed roughly 2,400 homes and other buildings — about one-tenth of the city. Firefighters were credited with saving the rest of the community.
“We are thrilled to have all of our health services back up and running in the community," Matear said in a news release.
