The event, organized by Dr. Randeep Gill, an ER physician with over a decade of experience at Surrey Memorial Hospital, shed light on the lack of resources necessary to address the three leading causes of death: heart attacks, strokes, and trauma.
Dr. Gill, a steadfast advocate for improved healthcare, underscored the pressing need for more acute beds at Surrey Memorial Hospital. Presently, Surrey has a mere 634 beds, in stark contrast to Vancouver’s 3,000, representing a staggering 400% deficit despite comparable population sizes. This resource gap often forces patients to be transferred to other facilities for advanced care, exacerbating an already critical situation.
Addressing the crowd from a stage at Surrey Civic Plaza, Dr. Gill delivered a powerful message to the government: “Wake up, pay attention, we’re not going anywhere, and we’ll hold you accountable.”
Distinguished speakers at the event included Mayor Brenda Locke, Rummi Dosanjh from Doctors of BC, Camille Currie from BC Health Care Matters, Dr. Jesse Gill, Dr. Amol Lail, Dr. Maged Bakhet, Anita Huberman from Surrey Board of Trade, Councillor Harry Bains, and Mr. Harjinder Thind from RedFM amongst several others. Additionally, patients shared poignant testimonials, offering firsthand accounts of the healthcare crisis plaguing the South Fraser region.
The Rally which took place on September 9th at 2 pm at the Surrey City Hall Civic Plaza, symbolizes a resounding call to action. It serves as a catalyst for meaningful change, urging local and regional authorities to collaborate with medical professionals, community leaders, and stakeholders to develop and implement comprehensive solutions to the pressing medical care shortage crisis.
