Re: “Chilliwack dialysis patient questions lack of renal unit in growing city,” Progress, Nov 4, 2021 and page 15 in today’s paper.
I write in response to the Irvings’ concern that there doesn’t seem to be any reason for no access to dialysis here.
One reason is Chilliwack’s designation as a rural community, both clinically and economically. Confirmation of that label is found under Community Profile at this UBC Faculty of Medicine webpage: mdprogram.med.ubc.ca/about/integrated-community-clerkships/chilliwack.
Confirmation of Chilliwack’s rural economy is here on the provincial government’s website: news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2017RED0003-000447.
I don’t know who decided Abbotsford was the holy grail for some health care in the valley.
That decision leaves Chilliwack patients travelling for care, which is arduous depending on one’s health status.
For those who take their bodily functions for granted, you might not have noticed there are no services on the highway between Abbotsford and Chilliwack.
If a patient needs a washroom, they are out of luck.
Don’t get me wrong, some health care here is excellent. However, complex problems can only be served somewhat in Abbotsford and more fully to the west.
I’m sorry the Irvings are in this situation and thank them for making the public aware.
Sandra Hawkes
Chilliwack
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