Cairo Association of Teachers - Newsletter

CAT Tracks for February 24, 2009 ER

Not a new story, but hope springs eternal...and it's "shovel ready"!

Cairo Hopes For New ER

By Ryan Kruger
rkruger@wsiltv.com

CAIRO -- Time hasn't been kind to the old Cairo hospital. For the last twenty years boards and broken glass have surrounded it. But it's been even worse for folks needing help in an emergency.

"Probably two to three hundred people have lost their lives simply because they died before they could get the care they needed in an ER," said Fred Bernstein, CEO of the Cairo Mega Clinic.

Bernstein says the clinic has tried to fill the gap and has made some significant improvements through the years. X- rays, lab work and even same day surgery are performed there. But as far as an emergency goes, the closest options are miles away in Anna, Cape or Paducah.

"It's really a question of how soon you get the help as to how good your outcome will be," said Bernstein.

But Bernstein hopes that will soon change. Plans are in the works to build an emergency room in a spot right next to the clinic. The addition would include 16 beds and provide up to 90 much needed jobs.

"This is one of the most impoverished areas of the state of Illinois and for that matter of the United States," said Bernstein.

Bernstein says the project is ready to go. All that's needed is the funding. And with more than 20 billion dollars from the federal stimulus coming to the state, he hopes a small part will come to Cairo.

"90 jobs in the Cairo area is huge, saving lives that are lost simply because people aren't near enough to an emergency room to me that's a huge issue as well," said Bernstein.

Bernstein says a new ER would cost six million dollars. There is also a bill in the state senate sponsored by Senators Gary Forby and David Luechtefeld that if passed would pay for the addition.