Saskatchewan women urgently needing mammograms and other diagnostic care are being referred to Calgary clinics. Yet multiple women have declined breast cancer care in Calgary because of the exorbitant cost, according to one government email.
Another email goes on to state that some women “can't participate in this initiative because they don't have a reliable vehicle to get them to Calgary and can't afford airfare.”
Meara Conway, Saskatchewan NDP Shadow Minister for Rural and Remote Health, says that women should not have to travel to Calgary for mammograms in the first place.
“This province used to lead the nation in healthcare, but now women can’t even get mammograms after 17 years of the Sask. Party,” said Conway. “We’re in last place on healthcare because this government put us there.
“We need a government focused on the future and building up our healthcare. Saskatchewan taxpayer dollars should be going towards hiring more healthcare workers and increasing services here at home, not to the clinics of Sask. Party donors in Calgary.”
Last month, the Sask. Party renewed its contract with the private Alberta surgery company doing this work.
Clearpoint’s subsidiary, Surgical Centres Inc., has donated $16,500 to the Sask. Party since 2016 and had hired a former Sask. Party Finance Minister to lobby the government on its behalf.
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