SASKATOON - Opposition Leader Carla Beck has said it is "ridiculous" that the Sask Party government is not approving an MRI machine for Estevan after word that a local resident had offered a $2 million donation for the project.
Social media has lit up in the last 24 hours with reports that the Ministry of Health had apparently turned down the donation from Elaine Walkom of $2 million towards an MRI scanner located in Estevan at St. Joseph's Hospital.
In Saskatoon on Tuesday, NDP leader Beck issued this statement:
"This is ridiculous. Just get this done. We’re talking about a local citizen stepping up to donate $2 million to solve a problem, and you’ve got Scott Moe and his ministers getting in the way. It’s just one more example of the Sask. Party making everything worse and thinking they know better than all the communities that desperately need this MRI machine. Clearly it's time for a government that actually listens and gets things done."
The New Democrats have not been the only party speaking out. The Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan posted on Facebook denouncing reports of the $2 million donation being turned down.
"We have witnessed rural emergency rooms closing doors due to staffing issues, seniors being displaced because of housing issues, staffing problems for doctors and nurses and now a government refusing a donation that would cover the cost of implementing an MRI machine right where it is needed. Yet it was fine to give former Saskatchewan Health CEO a $425,000 severance package for quitting. Is this good governance?
"One of Buffalo Party of Saskatchewan policies states: 'Will bring forth legislation that will increase the number of private/public MRI clinics in the province and expand the program in scope to include CT scans, with a particular focus on rural areas.'"
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