$5.4 million federal investment to advance healthcare, accessibility in northern Sask

“What the Virtual Health Hub wants to do is bring healthcare to where the person is, rather than the person coming to a centralized location.”

The $5.4 million investment from the federal government is in addition to the $28.2 million Indigenous Services Canada has already invested toward the construction of the facility, which is expected to open in early 2027.

Dr. Ivar Mendez with a robot at RUH in Saskatoon. (Image Credit: submitted/Virtual Health Hub)

Mendez said the new funding will be used to facilitate the transfer of their office in downtown Saskatoon to the new building in Whitecap Dakota First Nation, and to keep operations going. The VHH currently already provides services to about 18 communities.

“I believe the future of health care is taking shape right here in Whitecap Dakota First Nation through the innovation this community is leading,” said Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services.

“This new model will bring high-quality health services to some of the most remote communities across the province.”

A 2025 report from the Angus Reid institute revealed that over 300,000 Saskatchewan residents lack a family doctor, and roughly 63 percent of Saskatchewan residents have trouble accessing primary care when needed.

“In rural and remote populations, there is a great barrier to accessing timely healthcare. The outcomes for the people in northern communities are very poor,” said Mendez.

Death from a preventable cause is twice as high in northern Saskatchewan as it is in the southern area of the province, which is a reflection of the lack of timely access to healthcare, said Mendez. He also said patients in emergency rooms in urban centres can wait eight to ten hours before seeing a doctor, and are often treated in hallways or waiting rooms.

Front view of the Virtual Health Hub, which is scheduled to open in March 2027. (Image Credit: Virtual Health Hub)

Once fully operational, the VHH will have the capacity to serve 30 communities, and will support 80 jobs. By 2029, its reach is expected to expand to as many as 90 northern and remote communities.

“I think this will have a significant impact on the people in rural and remote locations. If people need an ultrasounds to see if they have cancer, they will be able to have it in their own community,” said Mendez.

Additionally, Mendez said that when a patient needs to come to a centre for an operation or in-person healthcare, they will be triaged immediately, rather than having to wait for care. He said that roughly 70 percent of cases can be treated in their home communities.

In Pelican Narrows, the VHH currently operate a nursing station, where a patient will be able to get an initial assessment with the virtual health app, as well as have access to services like robotic ultrasound or remote X-ray.

“It’s an ethical imperative because we really need to put a lot of effort into these communities that are the most disadvantaged and most marginalized, the ones that have been under-served by the system,” said Mendez.

“This is why I’m so enthusiastic and passionate about this project – these are the people that need the help, and we need to bring technology to where it’s needed most.”

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by NC Raine/EFN Media

$5.4 million federal investment to advance healthcare, accessibility in northern Sask

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