Onion Lake In Danger of Losing X-Ray Lab

Onion Lake In Danger of Losing X-Ray Lab

Wednesday, December 08, 2004 at 13:18

A government battle over who should pay for acute care at the band level is threatening some services on a Saskatchewan First Nation.

On October 1st, 2003, the Prairie North Regional Health Authority informed the Onion Lake First Nation it was cutting funds to the band’s on-reserve x-ray facility and lab.

Since that time, the band has kept the services afloat with its own resources. However, an official says that window is closing.

Onion Lake health board chairman Grant Whitstone says the provincial government seems to think it’s Ottawa’s bill to pay while the feds insist it’s not their jurisdiction.

Whatever the case, he says band members stand to lose out, as will residents of other communities in the region.

Whitstone says situations like this are hard to understand when both levels of government constantly prod health regions to become more innovative.

He has since approached the FSIN for assistance.