More than eight years after Hurricane Katrina devastated the Gulf coast, Veterans Affairs has begun construction of an $800 million complex in New Orleans.
VA secretary Eric Shinseki addressed state officials, VA executives and veterans from every war since World War II Friday, promising that the new complex will prove to be worth the wait. Shinseki then broke ground with a ceremonial shovel.
The new hospital, sized at over 30 acres, will stretch between South Rocheblave Street, Canal Street, South Galvez Street and Tulane Avenue in Mid-City New Orleans. At 1.7 million square feet, the complex will be 70 percent larger than the current facility, Charity Hospital. The facility will be complete with outpatient exam rooms, 200 hospital rooms, 20 intervention and surgery rooms, an emergency department, a research facility, rehabilitation services and a mental health division.
A 1,000 space- parking garage is included in the construction as well.
The state of Louisiana is supporting the project with funds from federal hurricane recovery reserves.
Also in the project plans is an expansion of primary care services available to veterans in the New Orleans area. The $30 million expansion includes five new outpatient clinics, two dental facilities and a mental health clinic. These facilities will allow veterans outside the city to receive more complete, basic care.
For many veterans, healthcare is a hurdle. Facilities such as this allow veterans to receive every type of care they need, which is be crucial to good long-term health, as early diagnosis can be life-saving.
One such disease is mesothelioma. This aggressive form of cancer attacks the mesothelium, or lining, of the stomach, lungs or heart after asbestos exposure. Veterans, especially those who served in the navy, are prone to this fatal disease. Early diagnosis and care increases the chance of a good prognosis in diseases like mesothelioma, which is why veterans should take advantage of the VA medical facilities in their area.
The complex is New Orleans is slated to be completed in 2013 and employ over 2,000 people.
