The new computerized tomography (CT) scanner has officially started operating at St. Joseph's Hospital on Monday. Health Minister Dustin Duncan joined Estevan mayor Roy Ludwig and representatives from Sun Country Health Region and the St. Joseph's Hospital Foundation for the official unveiling of the CT scanner.
"Providing this service locally means less travel time and expense for patients, and quicker access to medical diagnosis and treatment," said Duncan. "Our government is happy to partner with the community and health region to provide this important service."
The scanner at St. Joseph's is the 14th permanent hospital-based CT scanner in Saskatchewan, according to a media release from the Government of Saskatchewan.
Sun Country Health Region president and CEO Marga Cugnet said the new CT scanner will help local physicians make a timely diagnosis for patients, which will help determine best treatment and care. Cugnet thanked the many donors from southeast Saskatchewan who contributed to the project at the unveiling.
According to the release, the Government of Saskatchewan, The St. Joseph's Hospital foundation raised a total of $2.2 million for the Ct scanner project, including $1.6 million for the equipment and renovations to the hospital, and $60,000 for startup operating costs.
The provincial government contributed $375,000 to Sun Country, to cover operating costs of the CT scanner in the 2015-16 fiscal year The government also plans to provide $1 million per year in annual operating costs.
This week's edition of the Mercury will have more on this story.
