Released on March 19, 1998
Health Minister Clay Serby today announced that the government isincreasing its investment in cancer prevention and treatment services
for Saskatchewan people.
As part of the March 19 provincial budget, an additional $2.7 million
investment is being provided to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency. The
13.4 per cent increase in the investment will help the Agency recruit
and retain oncologists (specialized cancer physicians) and offset the
cost of new high-cost drugs.
New funding will also allow cancer patients with lymphomas to receive
life-saving peripheral blood stem cell transplants in Saskatchewan,
instead of travelling to another province. The funding will also help
expand the chemotherapy outreach program, enhance the Screening
Program for Breast Cancer and develop a Cervical Cancer Screening
Program.
"The Cancer Agency provides a high quality provincial service to all
Saskatchewan people," Serby said. "I'm very pleased that we're able
to provide additional resources to this program as we continue to
invest in the health of our residents."
The new investment is part of the 5.4 per cent increase to the
health system announced today as part of the 1998/99 provincial
budget. In all, the government is investing $1.72 billion in the
health of Saskatchewan people, Serby said.
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For more information, contact:
Jeff Brown
Communications and Public Information
Saskatchewan Health
Regina
Phone: (306) 787-4088