To Editor:
As a health-care worker in the Estevan area, and the general vice-president for CUPE Local 5430, I want to echo the calls for the province to accept the generous donation of an MRI at St. Joseph's Hospital in Estevan.
It is ridiculous that there is no MRI machine south of Regina. Ninety per cent of Saskatchewan residents waiting for an MRI had to wait at least 246 days, and residents in southeast Saskatchewan have to drive upwards of three hours to access care. We can and must do better.
Estevan has an estimated population of over 11,000 people and would service an area from Coronach to Gainsborough. An MRI machine in the region would significantly reduce travel time and would take pressure off the Regina MRI machines.
St. Joseph's Hospital is already set up for a wide range of diagnostic imaging, including CT scans. An MRI machine would be an asset to the existing medical team.
The offer to train and support two MRI technologists required to operate the machine is a welcome addition to the medical imaging team at St. Joseph’s Hospital. It is this kind of direct support which can help attract new specialists to our communities.
Bashir Jalloh
Regina
