Released on March 19, 1998
Health Minister Clay Serby today announced that the government isincreasing its investment in specialized health services to serve all
Saskatchewan residents.
An additional $2.8 million was committed in the 1998/99 budget to
support specialized hospital programs and improve residents' access to
these programs both in the major centres and across the province.
"We are continuing to invest in quality health services that meet the
needs of the people of the province," Serby said. "We recognize the
growing importance of specialized hospital services to all
Saskatchewan people regardless of where they live."
In the past few years alone, the number of angioplasty procedures
performed in Saskatchewan has doubled. The number of people requiring
dialysis has grown by 10 to 20 per cent a year. And the need for
sophisticated medical imaging, such as MRI, CT scans and nuclear
medicine, has grown significantly throughout the province.
Funding is being provided to cover the operating costs of a new MRI
unit in Regina. The unit is being purchased by the Regina District
Health Board through the Hospitals of Regina Foundation and will be
available for service later this year.
To further expand specialized services outside the major centres,
funding will be provided to establish satellite renal dialysis
sites in northeastern and southeastern Saskatchewan.
In addition, the new investment will fund the on-going operation
of a new CT scanner in the Prince Albert Health District.
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