Saugeen Memorial Hospital in Southampton. Hub photo.

Ontario Power Generation (OPG) announced $60,000 in funding for three hospital foundations in Bruce County, to help purchase much-needed new medical equipment, read a December 9 media release.

“In this challenging year, when hospitals are under additional stress due to the pandemic, OPG is pleased to be able to provide additional support to front-line health care in our local communities,” said Lise Morton, Vice President of OPG’s Nuclear Waste Management division.

The funding through OPG’s Corporate Citizenship Program will go to hospital foundations in Southampton, Kincardine and Walkerton.

In addition to OPG’s $5,000 support in the spring of 2020 to Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation for an echocardiography ultrasound machine at the Southampton hospital, another $15,000 will go toward a new portable digital X-ray machine.

Kincardine Community and Health Care Foundation will receive $20,000 toward a computerized tomography (CT) scanner, used to produce detailed images of soft tissues. Work is almost completed on construction of the building on the east side of the hospital to house the new scanner.

Walkerton & District Hospital Foundation will receive $20,000 toward a new anesthetic machine, used in the operating room for elective general surgery, endoscopy and support to the birthing centre. The machine controls the mixing of medical gases and monitors patients’ breathing.

The foundations expressed their appreciation, particularly since the pandemic has curtailed some annual fundraising events. “This is truly a very different year for fundraising and health care and we are grateful for your support,” said Tracy Murphy, Executive Director of the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation.