The NDP joined with Blood Watch to call on the government to end the practice of pay for plasma donations in Saskatchewan, and instead focus more on bolstering the volunteer system run through Canadian Blood Services (CBS).
“There are a number of health and safety risks associated with paying for plasma donations,” said NDP Leader Ryan Meili. “By strengthening the province’s volunteer system, we can limit this risk while also ensuring that the donations stay in the province and benefit those who need it in Saskatchewan instead of international pharmaceutical companies.”
Following the opening of a pay for plasma clinic in Saskatoon, the CEO of CBS noted that local donation numbers dropped posing a risk to Canadian supply.
The Saskatchewan government agreed to allow a pay for plasma clinic to operate under the false pretense that plasma donated at the clinic will stay in the province. CBS does not purchase blood products from paid donors in Canada. Several provinces, including Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario and Quebec have already moved to ban paid plasma donations.
“CBS has to be the centre of procuring and distributing blood products in order to be done as safely and efficiently as possible,” said NDP Health Critic Vicki Mowat. “Having more focus on supporting CBS will lead to an increase in donations and allow it to become self-sufficient.”
Poor working conditions, favouritism, $300K travel nurse pay at issue
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition released a letter signed by 49 emergency room nurses in Saskatoon. The letter slams the Sask. Party government for failing to support Saskatchewan nurses and curb the province’s reliance on expensive out-of-province travel nurses.
REGINA - Today, Official Opposition Critic for First Nations and Métis Relations Betty Nippi-Albright hosted a Day of Action with Indigenous leaders from Nekaneet First Nation, Yellow Quill First Nation, Waterhen Lake First Nation, Onion Lake Cree Nation, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Key First Nation and the residential school support team from Yorkton Tribal Council. Together, they continue to draw attention to the Sask. Party government’s disregard for the Duty to Consult process.
MOOSE JAW - Today, the Official Opposition stood with Taylor Enns, president of the Moose Jaw Firefighters Association, and Brayden Dutchak, the son of a cancer survivor. Together, they called on the Sask. Party government to reopen Saskatchewan’s only hyperbaric chamber.
Records show former Sask. Party Finance Minister lobbied for Calgary surgery scheme on behalf of a major Sask. Party donor
REGINA - Today, the Official Opposition grilled the Premier and his Minister of Health after the Minister misled the public, claiming that he had not been lobbied by a former Sask. Party MLA when Saskatchewan's official lobbyist logs show the exact opposite.