A six-week “surge” to increase the number of medical procedures across the province is another sign of government’s mismanagement of its health portfolio, says Alberta’s official opposition.
Alberta Health Services recently announced an $8-million infusion into the health care system to reduce lengthy wait times for MRIs and CT scans, as well as several types of surgeries.
The government plan is to boost the number of cataract and hip and knee surgeries, the bulk of which will be conducted at for-profit, private clinics in Calgary.
Liberal leader Dr. David Swann says the move simply highlights the government’s mismanagement of the public health care system. “We really feel for the people who have been waiting inordinate delays to get their surgical needs met,” says Dr. Swann. “Unfortunately this government seems to be favouring the for-profit sector to deliver the service and we don’t agree with that.”
For 15 years the government has “systematically” eroded the public system while strengthening the private system, putting the long-term public interest at risk, says Dr. Swann. “We have to have a stable, funded, efficient public system or we will gradually be developing a two-tiered system where more professionals leave the public sector and go to the private sector.”
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I'm just saying wrote:
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