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$26 million for medical and diagnostic equipment Health and Community Services Minister Gerald Smith today announced that government will spend $26 million for medical and diagnostic equipment. The major portion of this funding is a result of the recent First Ministers� meeting on Health Care Renewal. "Provinces have long been calling on the federal government to increase funding for health care. While this federal investment is welcome, it falls far short of what is needed to sustain existing services and at the same time move forward on needed reforms," said Minister Smith. The majority of this funding will be dispersed to regional health boards to purchase equipment such as X-ray units, ultrasound units, and nuclear medicine equipment among other needs. Other allocations include funding for a second MRI unit for the province and $5 million for Picture Archiving and Communications System (PACS) implementation. In addition, $1 million is being allocated to equip ambulances with defibrillators and other patient care equipment. "Over the last three years, government has invested a total of $62.4 million ($45 million provincial funding and $17.4 million federal funding) for capital equipment needs in our health facilities. With this year�s investment, our boards can continue to upgrade existing equipment, and acquire new medical and diagnostic equipment, all aimed at improving patient care," said Minister Smith. Media contact: Diane Keough, Communications, (709) 729-1377 2003 03 27 4:30 p.m. |
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