By Don Urquhart, Times Chronicle
Community pharmacists across Oliver and Osoyoos are stepping up to support the ongoing campaign to raise $2 million for equipment and healthcare housing for the South Okanagan General Hospital (SOGH), contributing more than $25,000.
Local pharmacies — Oliver Pharmacy, Pharmasave Oliver, Shoppers Drug Mart Oliver, Shoppers Drug Mart Osoyoos and Sunshine Valley Pharmacy in Osoyoos — along with three retired pharmacists from the region, have collectively contributed more than $25,000 toward the South Okanagan Similkameen (SOS) Medical Foundation’s SOGH Campaign.
“For us, this is about putting patients first,” said Dale Dodge, retired pharmacist and community spokesperson. “We know that if we can provide more services closer to home, it will lead to better health outcomes than having patients travel to Penticton or Kelowna to access them.”
Indeed, a key priority of the campaign is the purchase of a new ultrasound platform for SOGH. Last year alone, more than 3,600 residents from Oliver and Osoyoos had to travel outside of their community for ultrasound exams, often facing wait times of up to six months.
In addition to expanding diagnostic services, the campaign also includes the construction of two manufactured homes located minutes from SOGH. These homes will play a critical role in strengthening healthcare staffing by helping attract locum physicians, supporting travelling nurses, and enabling the recruitment of medical interns — a challenge made increasingly difficult by the lack of local housing.
“Medical care in BC can provide a basic level of service, but meaningful improvements — especially in small communities — often depend on local leadership and advocacy,” said Greg Wheeler, community pharmacist and Director of the SOS Medical Foundation.
“The more services our small community hospitals can provide, the stronger and more sustainable they become. Local pharmacists are proud to do their part to ensure SOGH continues to serve our region well into the future.”
The SOS Medical Foundation expressed its gratitude to the pharmacy community for their leadership and generosity, noting that their support reflects a broader movement across Oliver and Osoyoos to invest directly in local healthcare solutions.
Fundraising for the SOGH Campaign continues as the community works together to enhance care, reduce travel, and build a stronger hospital for today and tomorrow.
For more information about the SOGH Campaign or to donate or get involved, visit: sosmedicalfoundation.com/sogh.
