CREMONA - Residents of Cremona and district won't be forced to travel anymore to see a doctor.
Dr. John Le Roux from the Oasis Health Clinic in Airdrie will be providing service to Cremona on Fridays starting Dec. 1, officials announced last week.
Joseph Shi, deputy mayor of Cremona, said it's great to have a doctor back in the village.
Shi has been a strong advocate for the return of a physician to the community.
"We have had no doctor for quite a while," said Shi. "Many local residents have come to me and wanted me to speak about it. I wrote a letter to the Mountain View Gazette and it was published (in July).
"Right after the paper published the article, Remedy Pharmacy (in Carstairs) contacted me and wanted to have the Cremona and area residents supplied with some medical services. That wouldn't be enough because a pharmacy alone wouldn't be enough."
Shi said shortly after that, Dr. Le Roux's office contacted him.
"Dr. Le Roux used to work in Cremona a few years ago," he said. "He loved our community. He said he would be willing to come. The problem in Cremona is that about two years ago we had a doctor here once a week.
"The doctor as well as the insurance, administration, telephone line was covered by the province."
Shi said that when the government stopped funding for the administration for the doctors, they walked away.
"This doctor coming here wouldn't have anything covered," said Shi. "He'd have to pay his own way, telephone line, insurance and everything. The government cut further the funding for rural medical services. This would be a problem.
"Dr. Le Roux is willing to serve the community even without that help. He will have to bring his own administrator and pay for rent, insurance, telephone lines, and everything."
Shi said he hopes the community sees how important a doctor is for the village.
"I hope all the community can see that and come support him," he said. "We don't want to lose another doctor."
Shi said having a doctor in the village is very important for seniors and families in particular.
"So many citizens can't drive and a lot of young families with kids all want to see a doctor here," he said. "It's very important for the community to have a doctor."
Dr. Le Roux is originally from South Africa and has been in Canada for 10-plus years.
He has previously worked in the Carstairs-Didsbury area but now has a practice at the Oasis clinic.
He is a family physician with experience in emergency and ICU.
He will be seeing both adults and children.
The clinic will be located at 106 Railway Avenue in the Cremona Community Health Centre. It will accommodate both appointments and some walk-ins. Patients can call 403-560-1606 to schedule an appointment.
Le Roux told the Gazette he is glad to be able to return to the village.
He said he still sees patients from the area in Airdrie but wants to return to provide a much-needed service to Cremona and the surrounding area.
"I used to work in Cremona a few years back and really enjoyed my time there," said Le Roux. "I have a really good rapport with the local people.
"I enjoy the challenges of rural medicine and helping people with limited access to medical services."
Le Roux was very thankful to the mayor and town council for helping him get organized and set up.
"I appreciate them, along with AHS for going over and above," he said. "I hope to see you all soon in the upcoming months."
"I enjoy the challenges of rural medicine and helping people with limited access to medical services."Dr. Le Roux
