ESTEVAN — Buffalo Party leader Phil Zajac sharply criticized the projected $6.5 million cost for an MRI in Estevan, arguing the expense is excessively high.
Speaking at a meeting held on May 31 at the Estevan Church of God with a few dozen people in attendance, Zajac presented multiple alternatives that he claimed would significantly reduce costs while still providing state-of-the-art MRI services.
He emphasized his belief that the current plans involve unnecessary expenditures.
Zajac started with equipment costs proposed by Emmanuel Health, which operates St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan, and argued that sourcing used equipment might be a better and cheaper option. Zajac said his research has shown that it would allow for faster access to spare parts when needed and will also help cut the cost by more than half.
Then he addressed the training costs, noting that "Every MRI company that I've contacted, said they will come and train our techs for free." He pointed out the fees to have MRI results read, included in the current official project, are also excessive, according to his research.
Zajac also spoke about the options for the MRI facility. He suggested repurposing existing hospital spaces, such as the laundry facility, to house the MRI, which he estimated would save substantial construction costs.
"The laundry facility in the hospital is a very large space. Basically, it's just for laundry and storage. It's in the perfect location. It's right by the emergency room entrance. ... Move the laundry somewhere else and place the MRI right there. It eliminates the cost of construction," he said.
Additionally, Zajac outlined other options, including constructing a new building specifically designed for the MRI, buying one, leasing existing medical office space across Nicholson Road from the hospital, and even considering mobile MRI units.
The Buffalo Party's total projected cost for an MRI in Estevan came in the $1 million-$2 million range.
Zajac was critical of the government's resistance to these alternatives. He asserted that more efficient use of funds could benefit multiple communities across Saskatchewan, not just Estevan.
"If we want to raise $6.6 million, let's do it. But let's be a philanthropist for the province. Raise the money and give one [MRI unit] to Swift Current. Raise the money and give one [unit] to Yorkton. Have one in Estevan. Right now, in Saskatchewan there's 15,000 people waiting for an MRI," he argued.
The Buffalo Party leader stressed that the MRI waitlist is a provincial issue, affecting patients throughout Saskatchewan.
"The whole issue of the MRI waitlist is a provincial issue, and any MRI that we get helps the entire province," Zajac said, expressing confusion at the provincial government's resistance to more efficient solutions.
Timothy Kasprick, the party's vice-president of policy and governance, also was present. He talked about the need for MRI service, the benefits of it to the Estevan community, and the current expected cost for the project versus Buffalo Party's expected cost. He underlined the party's support for the project.
The meeting concluded with Zajac's commitment to submit his cost-saving proposals to the Ministry of Health, seeking answers as to why the current plan's expenses are so high.
"When we're finished, we're going to submit this to the ministry. … And when we submit it to the ministry, we're going to simply ask the question why? What is wrong? Why not use our program?" he said.
The presentation was followed by further details about the party's activities, and Q&A from the audience.
The event was livestreamed.
The Church of God posted a note at their door saying that the MRI township meeting was not their event.
In the provincial budget released in March, the government gave the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation the green light to start fundraising for the MRI scanner. The foundation has committed to raise $6.5 million. Elaine Walkom of Estevan has pledged $2 million for the project.
