IMPROVEMENTS TO NORTHWEST ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE CENTRE

Keewatin Yathé Health District is moving ahead with plans to renovate and

upgrade two district health facilities.



Health Minister Pat Atkinson gave approval-in-principle to district plans to

renovate the Northwest Alcohol and Drug Abuse Centre, and upgrade the existing

elevator at St. Joseph's Hospital in Ile-a-la-Crosse.



"Reinvesting in local health care facilities is an essential part of our goal

to improve service delivery and ensure quality of care for people throughout

the province," Atkinson said.



Province-wide, Saskatchewan Health will spend $41.1 million on capital projects

this year. Of this amount, $7.7 million is available for new projects and

$33.4 million is committed to previously approved projects.



Saskatchewan Health officials will continue to work with the Keewatin Yathe

Health District to finalize plans for capital projects.



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For more information, contact:



Jeff Brown

Communications Branch

Saskatchewan Health

Regina

Phone: (306) 787-4088