Drummondville Hospital: A Flood of Crises

Sainte-Croix Hospital in Drummondville, Quebec, is experiencing a critical situation marked by recurrent flooding. A recent incident involving a malfunctioning sterilization machine led to water damage, forcing the postponement of 24 surgeries and 54 endoscopy exams. This is not an isolated event; the hospital has an 11-year-old code for major floods and recorded 14 such alerts last year, indicating a long-standing issue with its dilapidated infrastructure.

The ongoing problems at the 80-year-old facility, exacerbated by potential asbestos and outdated systems, are straining resources already stretched thin by the seasonal flu epidemic. Doctors are expressing alarm, emphasizing the urgent need for a new hospital to ensure adequate patient care and emergency services. The current situation is described as having reached a point of no return, with significant impacts on ambulance rerouting and test result delivery.

In response to the persistent crises, the Parti Québécois tabled a motion in the National Assembly, which was unanimously adopted, urging the government to include a new Drummondville hospital in the upcoming infrastructure plan. While the Health Minister acknowledged the need for rebuilding, his office remained non-committal on the timeline, but assured that preparations are underway and the government is committed to addressing the region's needs, attributing current issues to past underinvestment.