Kamloops is on the brink of a cardiac care crisis — and the clock is ticking.

Local leaders, physicians, and residents are calling out the NDP government and Interior Health for what they describe as years of neglect, broken promises, and bureaucratic delays that are now putting lives at risk. Despite nearly two decades of grassroots fundraising and over $2 million in community donations through the ICCHA-WISH Fund, critical cardiac services at Royal Inland Hospital have been delayed until 2040.

Even more alarming, Kamloops is now left without any dedicated cardiac coverage from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m. due to the departure of a cardiologist.

“This is not a health care plan — it’s an abdication of responsibility,” said Kamloops Centre MLA Peter Milobar. “Doctors are starting to leave because there’s no support — and that creates a dangerous strain on the system.”

“Schedule Your Heart Attack Somewhere Else”

Milobar and Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Ward Stamer issued a joint statement Tuesday, accusing the NDP government of abandoning patients across the Thompson-Nicola region.

“The NDP’s answer? ‘Schedule’ your heart attack at a hospital two hours away — as if medical emergencies run on their timetable,” Milobar said. “It’s a gamble with people’s lives, and it’s unacceptable.”

Currently, more than 1,000 patients from Kamloops and the surrounding area must endure a two plus hour ambulance ride to Kelowna General Hospital after stabilization — a delay that can mean the difference between life and death.

A Community That Refuses to Give Up

Founded in 2007 by Kamloops resident Al Patel, the ICCHA-WISH Fund has led a 19-year campaign to improve cardiac care in the region. The fund has paid for essential upgrades, including a telemetry system, 4D echocardiography, and 20-year-old heart monitor replacements — all without government help.

In 2018, their efforts helped establish a dedicated Cardiac Care Unit (CCU) at RIH. But after the COVID-19 pandemic, the unit was functionally dismantled — its specialized nurses reassigned, and never replaced. To make matters worse, the CCU was built far from the ER and ICU, a costly and dangerous design flaw that has never been corrected.

“They promised us cancer care and cardiac care. We got neither. Everything went to Kelowna,” said Patel. “And now they tell us to wait until 2040? That’s 15 more years of preventable deaths.”

Cath Lab Delayed — Or Denied?

A fully functional Cardiac Catheterization Lab — used to diagnose and treat blocked arteries — remains the central focus of the ICCHA-WISH campaign. Community donors have pledged funding support, and local cardiologists are ready to begin. But Interior Health now says a cath lab cannot be considered until the CCU is fully operational — a unit they themselves shut down.

“They shut down the cardiac unit, then used that as the reason we can’t have a cath lab,” said Patel. “It’s the cart before the horse — and they’re the ones who took the horse away.”

Milobar echoed that frustration. “We’ve heard from funders who’ve said they’ll help pay for most of the equipment. But Interior Health’s response is, ‘Maybe in 2040.’ That’s simply not good enough. It feels like they’re just passing the buck to the next administration.”

Andreas, who has followed the story for years, didn’t hold back either: “When medical professionals say this is necessary and keep getting ignored, morale tanks. Recruitment suffers. It’s a downward spiral.”

Calls for Action

Backed by physicians, volunteers, and thousands of residents, the ICCHA-WISH Fund is demanding the following immediate steps from the provincial government and Interior Health:

Restore the ICCHA-WISH Cardiac Care Unit at RIH with trained cardiac nurses by September 30, 2025

Begin interventional procedures one day per week using the existing Hybrid OR at RIH by January 2026

Publicly commit to building and funding a permanent Cardiac Catheterization Lab before the next provincial election

“This isn’t political for us,” said Patel. “This is about life and death. We’ve done our part. Now it’s time for the government to do theirs.”

A Failing System and a Silenced Community

Frustration among health care workers is mounting. “At what point did medical experts and patients lose the ability to be experts?” asked Andreas during his interview with Milobar. “It feels like decisions are being made by administrators and politicians who are ignoring the people who actually know what needs to happen.”

And despite years of lobbying, letter-writing, and media attention, the Province has made no formal commitment. “Why would any doctor want to stay?” asked Patel. “We had specialists ready to work here — they’re leaving because they can’t even do their jobs.”

Milobar concluded: “Kamloops residents have shown extraordinary generosity to fund medical equipment. But they shouldn’t have to fundraise for basic, life-saving care. This is the province’s way of telling people: if you want proper treatment, start a GoFundMe.”

To learn more or support the campaign, visit iwishfund.com.