NEW TECHNOLOGY FOR KIDNEY STONE PATIENTS

Released on March 14, 1995

Health Minister Lorne Calvert today announced a grant of $200,000 to
support a new non-invasive treatment for patients suffering from kidney
stones.

The Regina and Saskatoon districts will use the start-up grant to
acquire a mobile lithotripsy unit which uses ultrasound shock waves to
break up kidney stones without surgery. The unit will be shared by the
two cities.

"This funding will give residents across the province better access to
this exciting technology and drastically reduce the need for invasive
surgery," Calvert said.

Calvert said that on average, one in 10 people will develop kidney
stones at some point in their lives. Last year, more than 200
Saskatchewan residents travelled to Alberta or Manitoba to receive
lithotripsy. More than 400 stayed in the province to have stones
surgically removed.

Saskatchewan spends about $230,000 a year to send kidney stone patients
out of province, Calvert said. That amount, along with that spent on
surgery, will more than cover the annual cost of leasing the new unit.

"Not only will this procedure help patients avoid surgery or travel,
but it also represents a wiser use of our health dollars.

"We are providing the most comprehensive range of services in
communities in Canada to meet the needs of our residents. The goal of
health renewal is to offer people a wider range of options, closer to
home."

-30-


For more information, contact:

Mark Seland
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: 787-3825