Health Minister Andrew Little is pleased with a sizable donation from Wellington land developer and philanthropist Mark Dunajtschik towards a new mental health unit at Hutt Hospital.
According to Andrew Little, “the Government committed to replacing the hospital’s 24-bed acute mental health unit Te Whare Ahuru with a contemporary facility of the same size.”
According to Andrew Little, “Mr. Dunajtschik’s generous pledge to donate $40 million to $50 million, subject upon the project’s final design, means it can be enlarged to a 34-bed unit.”
“We are all extremely appreciative of Mr. Dunajtschik’s incredible altruism. He made New Zealand his home many years ago, has achieved success in business, and now wants to give back to this nation.
“I’m delighted I had the chance to thank him in person for this gift as well as the $50 million he has previously contributed to Wellington’s new children’s hospital.
“This most recent donation will assist not only the Wellington area but the entire nation as other projects can now receive government financing that was meant for the Hutt Valley unit.
“This Government has commissioned mental health rebuilds around the nation totaling $578 million, with planning well under way for each.
Along with the more than 900 additional frontline positions already funded for general practitioners and community clinics, we have also dedicated $87 million to expanding the mental health workforce, according to Andrew Little.
The Mark Dunajtschik Mental Health Centre will be the new Hutt Valley facility, and planning for it is well under way. Te Whatu Ora – Health New Zealand is in charge of overseeing the initiative.