Saskatchewan Blue Cros presents cheque to Boreal Healthcare Foundation. (CNW Group/Saskatchewan Blue Cross)

By Nick Nielsen

Funds to help La Loche Health Centre

Saskatchewan Blue Cross donates $11,000 to Boreal Healthcare Foundation

Oct 24, 2024 | 2:51 PM

While the Boreal Healthcare Foundation has had a major focus as of late to secure funds for the Victoria Hospital expansion in Prince Albert as of late, they were able to secure a sizeable donation to another of Northern Saskatchewan’s healthcare units in La Loche earlier this week.

With further announcements on rural hospital funding to come, the Saskatchewan Blue Cross donated $11,000 towards the Boreal Healthcare Foundation for equipment at the La Loche Health Centre and Hospital.

“We are thrilled to be able to support rural residents of Saskatchewan with this donation to the Boreal Healthcare Foundation,” said Kelly Wilson, President and CEO of Saskatchewan Blue Cross. “These essential pieces of healthcare equipment allow doctors, nurses and hospital staff to continue to provide exceptional care to residents in their communities.”

The new funding is set to be used for an i-STAT Portable Blood Analyzer and i-STAT printer kit. The new equipment will help provide quick and accurate blood tests for the hospital. The new analyzer should allow for faster blood tests that will give results in real-time, taking away the need for blood work to be sent away and tested in a lab.

“The Boreal Healthcare Foundation is incredibly grateful for Saskatchewan Blue Cross’s support in providing an i-STAT Portable Blood Analyzer to the La Loche Health Centre,” said Cody Barnett, CEO of Boreal Healthcare Foundation. “This state-of-the-art device will significantly enhance point-of-care testing, reducing wait times and ensuring that critical test results are available in minutes, not days. For northern communities like La Loche, timely access to diagnostics is crucial for delivering quality healthcare. With this investment, we’re ensuring that residents in Northern Saskatchewan receive timely care, right in their own community.”