The Government of Saskatchewan and Meadow Lake Tribal Council (MLTC) are officially opening a new health care facility in Meadow Lake.

Representatives from the Tribal Council, provincial government and Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA) were on hand Thursday for the grand opening.

The new hemodialysis unit is being funded in part by the province, which contributed over $2 million for construction while committing $700,000 annually to help pay for operations. MLTC and Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) kicked in just over $1 million to pay for equipment and furnishing for the new unit.

In a media release SHA’s chief operating officer Derek Miller said the new facility will be a real positive for dialysis patients in the area.

“The new six bed Satellite Hemodialysis Unit in Meadow Lake allows Saskatchewan Health Authority to provide care closer to home, cutting down on travel time for these patients and giving them more time with their families,” he said.

According to Miller the new hemodialysis unit in Meadow Lake is Saskatchewan’s most northern satellite dialysis clinic. The SHA operating officer said they are looking to open similar clinics that are even further north.

“The SHA is currently planning for an additional satellite clinic to be located in La Ronge,” said Miller.