The opening of the Dr. F.H. Wigmore Regional Hospital in 2015 was one of the most rewarding moments in my time as your MLA. Advocating for a new hospital in Moose Jaw was a top priority in my first years after being elected, so the grand opening of this much needed health care facility will always be a special memory. My commitment to high quality health care in our city continues, and I am always pleased to support and be a part of the Moose Jaw Health Foundation Family First Radiothon.
The Moose Jaw Health Foundation’s annual Family First Radiothon will take place at the Town 'n' Country Mall this year; Thursday and Friday of this week. The Foundation is reminding us that our health care workers are heroes in a different sort of mask, and is calling upon the community of Moose Jaw to support these health care professionals through the 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon.
The Moose Jaw Health Foundation does tremendous work in providing funding for equipment, making it possible for our doctors, specialists and health care professionals to do their work of saving lives. Launched in 2006, the Radiothon alone has raised more than $4.1 million to help our healthcare professionals care for us. The Radiothon is only one of many ways the Moose Jaw Health Foundation raises funds in support of health care. Other events like the Wednesday evening Concerts in the Park and the July first Moose Jawg were cancelled this year, making our community support for the Radiothon even more significant.
The Foundation goal is to raise more than $195,000 with the 2020 Radiothon; to provide our frontline healthcare workers with four new cardiac monitors, a telemetry monitoring system, a defibrillator and crash cart, Holter monitors and chemotherapy chairs.
I will be attending the Radiothon in person on Friday, September 11 just after 9 am. This year this important fund drive will be at the Town 'n’ Country mall. I appreciate being able to attend more of the Radiothon this year as the postponed date isn’t conflicting with the sitting of the Spring Legislative.
Since 2007 there has been a huge improvement in health care in Saskatchewan. The Ministry of Health is the highest provincial budgetary expense, and the overall health budget has increased by nearly $2.4 billion since 2007-08. We have more health care professionals; nearly 900 more doctors and over 3,700 more nurses. Our Government opened three new hospitals and 15 new long-term care facilities, with plans for a hospital expansion in Prince Albert and a new General Hospital in Weyburn. Saskatchewan has gone from the longest surgical wait times in Canada to close to the shortest, and continue to work to shorten surgical wait times. Healthcare continues to be a priority for our government.
The 2020-21 Ministry of Health budget is $5.8 billion, an increase of 4.6 per cent from 2019-20. It represents the highest health care investment ever in Saskatchewan. This includes a much needed $435 million for mental health and addictions supports and services.
A special thank you to the Moose Jaw Health Foundation board and staff, all their volunteers, and all those who support them in helping our medical professionals provide excellent health care throughout our region. I encourage everyone to support our health care professionals through the 800 CHAB Family First Radiothon this Thursday and Friday.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author, and do not necessarily reflect the position of this publication.
