PROVINCE APPROVES NEW HEALTH EQUIPMENT PURCHASES

Released on December 20, 2002

Patients from around the province will benefit from the purchase of

additional medical, surgical and diagnostic equipment for health regions

containing regional or provincial hospitals.



The provincial government is contributing toward the purchase of the

equipment from a new $10 million fund in the Health budget



"Our top priority is improving the quality of health services and access to

care, while ensuring our health system is sustainable into the future,"

Health Minister John Nilson said. "This new funding supports priorities

outlined in our action plan by ensuring strong specialized services for all

Saskatchewan people."



The new $10 million was allocated to health regions containing provincial

and regional hospitals. Regina Qu'Appelle and Saskatoon health regions

each received $3 million and $2.5 million was divided among the Prairie

North ($441,000), Sunrise ($655,000), Cypress ($296,000), Five Hills

($466,000), and Prince Albert Parkland ($654,000) health regions. The

remaining $1.5 million will be provided to the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency

once its purchases are confirmed in the new year.



"We know that access to the latest medical equipment is very important to

our health professionals as they work to deliver quality health care to the

people of this province," Nilson said. "This funding will support them and

ultimately will help us keep and attract our valued health providers."



The new money will supplement the $2 million ongoing capital equipment

funding that Regina and Saskatoon receive from the province. Historically,

health regions other than these two centres have not received department

funding dedicated for capital equipment. Health authorities also make

capital equipment purchases from private fund-raising efforts.



The new equipment will range from anaesthesia machines to fetal monitors to

hospital beds.



The federal government's two-year, $33 million Medical Equipment Fund

expired last year and was not renewed.



"We support the Romanow Commission's recommendation that more money be

spent in the future to purchase additional diagnostic equipment," Nilson

said. "We hope the federal government adopts this recommendation and

provides us with the resources we require to continue to meet our equipment

needs."



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For more information, contact:



Myrna Stark Leader

Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4083



For a full list of the approved equipment to be purchased, visit the

Saskatchewan Health Web site at www.health.gov.sk.ca