Indo-Canadian community opens its heart for hospital
Our city has a rich diversity with many cultural heritages and backgrounds. The one thing that unites us as a community and what we all hold in common, however, is how much we cherish our health care.
Recent polling conducted by eNRG Group in Richmond asked residents to prioritize a number of local capital infrastructure projects that require public dollar investments. Far above all other projects, Richmond residents ranked a new patient care tower at Richmond Hospital as the single, most important capital project in our community. A staggering 85% of the general population ranked as one of their top two choices.
Now more than ever is an important time to speak up if you value local health care and your local hospital.
On that note, we’d like to introduce you to a member of our Indo-Canadian community, here, in Richmond. Balwant Sanghera is a well-known Richmond resident. Besides being a member of the management committee of India Cultural Centre of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas, he’s also been active with many community organizations, including Richmond Multicultural Community Services and the East Richmond Community Association. He is also a recipient of the Order of British Columbia.
Sanghera is exemplary in his passion for local health care and his advocacy to help improve it. He is a formidable leader and not afraid to speak out on important issues, such as local health care.
Last year, the India Cultural Center of Canada Gurdwara Nanak Niwas donated $41,500 to Richmond Hospital Foundation to improve local health care. That donation included a $10,000 gift from entrepreneur and philanthropist Asa Singh Johal.
Sanghera said he was delighted with how the community of Richmond has opened its hearts and wallets. “Our community recognizes the need to take a leadership role to help improve care for patients in Richmond,” he said. “Richmond Hospital is one of the community’s most important institutions and donation will help ensure local health care is there for all of us in the future.”
And that future, added Sanghera, should include a new acute care tower. Richmond Hospital was built in 1966 to serve a population of about 50,000 people. Richmond’s population today is four-times that and is placing tremendous strain on the aging facility. “Planning for an acute care tower with the most modern equipment and facilities is essential,” Sanghera concluded.
Philanthropy is a vital lifeline for our hospital and we are grateful to the Gurdwara Nanak Niwas for giving back to make sure our loved ones have access to high quality care. It’s just another example of the community’s overwhelming support for better health services in Richmond. As we await the next move on securing funding for a new acute care tower at Richmond Hospital, it’s reassuring to know that we have so many allies who are willing and determined to get this work done on our behalf.