Saskatchewan Health Minister Denies Claims That Babies Are Being Sent to U.S. for Medical Care
Saskatchewan’s Health Minister Everett Hindley is firmly refuting allegations that newborn babies requiring medical care are being sent to the United States due to a lack of resources within the province’s healthcare system. The claim, which recently circulated on social media and was echoed by opposition critics, has sparked concern among residents about the capacity of the province’s neonatal services.
In a press conference held at the Saskatchewan Legislature, Hindley addressed the rumors head-on, stating unequivocally that no Saskatchewan newborns have been transferred to the U.S. for medical treatment due to local hospital shortages. “These claims are categorically false,” Hindley said. “We have the facilities and the trained professionals in Saskatchewan to provide appropriate care for our infants, including those in neonatal intensive care.”
The rumors began following reports of capacity challenges at major hospitals in Regina and Saskatoon. Critics, including members of the Saskatchewan NDP, pointed to these pressures as evidence of a strained healthcare system under the current government’s management. The opposition demanded transparency and clarification on whether the province had been forced to outsource neonatal care to facilities across the border.
However, Hindley pushed back, explaining that while temporary patient transfers between provinces are sometimes necessary during peak demand, there has been no case of infants being sent to the U.S. for care. “We work in coordination with other provinces when needed, but to suggest we are sending newborns across international borders is completely inaccurate and unnecessarily alarming to families,” he said.
Healthcare administrators have echoed the minister’s position, noting that Saskatchewan’s neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) are fully operational and staffed with qualified personnel. While staffing shortages and seasonal surges do put pressure on the system, officials say these are managed within the existing provincial or national healthcare network.
In response to public concern, the Ministry of Health released an internal review confirming that no transfers of neonatal patients to the United States had taken place. The review also included steps being taken to improve NICU capacity, including recruitment of specialized staff and investment in critical care infrastructure.
Medical experts and pediatricians have weighed in, supporting the province’s explanation and emphasizing that cross-border neonatal transfers are highly uncommon and would only occur under extremely rare, specialized circumstances — and certainly not due to lack of space alone.
The Saskatchewan government is now calling for an end to the misinformation. “We’re committed to providing the highest quality care for all Saskatchewan residents, including our youngest patients,” Hindley said. “Spreading false information only erodes trust in the healthcare system and causes unnecessary fear.”
As healthcare continues to be a key political issue in the province, especially post-pandemic, the government faces ongoing pressure to demonstrate accountability and transparency in service delivery. But for now, officials are standing firm that no babies have been sent to the U.S. for medical care — and they want the public to know the facts.
Source : The Canadian Press
