(Nicole Reis/meadowlakeNOW Staff)

By Nicole Reis

Cancer Transportation Pilot Program

Transportation pilot program assists rural cancer patients travelling to urban centers

Jul 27, 2020 | 9:00 AM

When the provincial government eliminated the Saskatchewan Transportation Company in 2017, many rural residents requiring medical treatment were left scrambling for transportation presenting barriers for access to healthcare.

This is particularly significant for cancer patients in Northern and rural areas because cancer treatment is only available in Saskatoon and Regina. Métis Nation-Saskatchewan (MN-S) responded by developing the Cancer Transportation Pilot Program.

MN-S Minister of Health Marg Friesen told meadowlakeNOW under this pilot program, individuals requiring cancer treatment produce their own driver and vehicle and MN-S supports them with reimbursement of fuel costs and a $25 flat rate for parking costs associated with travel to and from the patient’s community for cancer-related appointments within Saskatchewan.

“If there is a cancer patient for example coming from Île-à-la-Crosse, Meadow Lake, Beauval or Pinehouse, we would provide them the financial resources to get down to Saskatoon for their cancer treatment for the day,” Friesen said.

This program was initiated by MN-S through a liaison with the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer (CPAC) over the next two years. Resources provided by CPAC assist MN-S in providing this resource to Métis citizens. The program has budgeted between $25,000 to $30,000 annually based on research and partnerships with the Saskatchewan Cancer Agency.

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“It’s a start in addressing these gaps,” Friesen explained. “We’re negotiating a broader and bigger uninsured health benefit package for Métis citizens however we’re not there yet. This is what we can provide for the immediate needs of Métis citizens and we’re starting with cancer patients.”

Eligibility includes provincial residence, MN–S Métis citizenship, access to an available vehicle and driver and contact information of the attending clinic.

To access the program and apply for reimbursement, complete this online form or contact CPAC Project Coordinator, Tanya Pruden at 306-291-4758, email tpruden@mns.work.

Applicants should be registered citizens of MN-S to be considered for this program.

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nicole.reis@jpbg.ca

Twitter:@nicolereis7722