KELOWNA–1600 babies are born at Kelowna General Hospital every year.
Most come into the world healthy while some face serious challenges.
Soon, they’ll all have a brand new facility where they’ll be taken care of in the Okanagan.
Kelowna General Hospital celebrated the new perinatal unit with an official tour for Premier Christy Clark and other dignitaries on Thursday.
“This new unit will provide moms and loved ones with a state-of-the-art facility and soothing atmosphere in which to enjoy the start of a new life together,” says Clark.
The new perinatal unit has more space including five private labour and delivery rooms, and nine private and four semi-private postpartum rooms.
It is also home to a new neonatal intensive care unit with the capacity to support up to 20 babies.
The money for the unit is included in the $381 million budget for the new Interior Heart & Surgical Centre.
The Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District provided the $18 million capital cost while the Kelowna General Hospital Foundation committed $3 million for equipment.
The Foundation has now launched the “Giving Giggles” campaign to raise that funding.