Province to spend $2 million on private tests

SASKATOON Saskatchewan's government expects to spend roughly $2 million on privately-sourced medical diagnostic tests, part of an effort to bridge widening wait times as the COVID -19 pandemic once again forces suspension of various health services.

In an unattributed statement, the health ministry said the cash would pay for about 8,500 tests and that staff are “still finalizing these contracts and therefore are not able to confirm anything further at this time.”

Premier Scott Moe announced Friday that the government would pursue private deals to free up health-care workers and relieve pressure on the health care system.

Moe said that would include outsourcing some testing and contract tracing to private companies and purchasing diagnostic tests to help make up for cancelled elective procedures caused by a massive redeployment of health staff to the pandemic's front lines.

“In order to help offset the impact of this, we have purchased 8,500 MRI and CT scans from private providers, and we will start immediately to provide 2,300 additional appointments in some of our smaller diagnostic centres,”

“In order to help offset the impact of (delays due to COVID-19), we have purchased 8,500 MRI and CT scans from private providers.

Moe said Monday.

Saskatchewan NDP Leader Ryan Meili was critical of Moe's bid to enlist the private sector's aid, saying it's “very strange,” considering the government has not adopted other measures to reduce spread of COVID -19.

The Opposition has maintained allowing private MRIS to operate in Saskatchewan violates the spirit of Canada's health care system, a view shared by Ottawa, which threatened to cut health transfers to the province. Moe and his party have maintained that private MRI clinics are useful because they provide a free test to the public system for every private test they conduct.

That has not led to any lasting reduction in MRI wait times. As of June 2021, the average MRI recipient waited about 76 days for a scan.

The Ministry of Health said it has yet to award any contract to a private firm but details are to come.