Manitobans asked to “take care of frontline health care workers so they can take care of the rest of us”
The Health Sciences Centre Foundation launched a COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund today to support the efforts of physicians and staff at Manitoba’s Hospital – Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg, as they participate in province-wide preparations to meet the needs of COVID-19 patients.
“We are rallying donors to do what they can to support our dedicated doctors, nurses, allied health professionals, and other facility staff, as well as patients they treat,” said Jonathon Lyon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the HSC Foundation. “We all need to take care of frontline health care workers so they can take care of the rest of us.”
The Foundation is working with the hospital to identify emerging needs, including the acquisition of communications equipment so families can stay in touch with their loved ones in the Intensive Care Units while visitor restrictions are in place to protect patients and frontline workers.
HSC – and all of Manitoba’s health system leaders – are learning from the experience of health care facilities in other parts of the world.
“Donor support will keep the hospital nimble as it continues to prepare for the care needs of COVID-19 patients while still providing care for other seriously ill patients and people with emergency needs,” said Lyon. “Through all this, we want to make sure that we are doing everything we can to support the entire HSC team as they work to keep Manitobans healthy.”
“This is what we are working on today, but we know that new needs will continue to arise,” said Lyon. “The COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund will help ensure that HSC can provide optimal care in uncertain times.”
Donations to the HSC Foundation COVID-19 Crisis Response Fund can be made online at www.hscfoundation.mb.ca or by phone at (204) 515-5612 or toll-free at 1-800-6798493.
For updates about COVID-19 in Manitoba, the HSC Foundation urges people to visit the Province of Manitoba’s COVID-19 page at https://www.gov.mb.ca/covid19/.
About the Health Sciences Centre Foundation:
Health Sciences Centre is Manitoba’s flagship hospital with specialized support for trauma, neurosurgery, burns, transplants, and psychiatric health. Donations to the HSC Foundation enable HSC to improve care in these and other areas through important research initiatives, training opportunities for health care staff, the acquisition of cutting-edge medical equipment, and the development of new state-ofthe-art facilities.
