Both provincial health ministers are hearing the concerns of Lloydminster citizens on the health file, but as to taking action, that remains to be seen.
“Our community has needs and getting that message to the appropriate people is so important,” says Mayor Gerald Aalbers as he spoke to media after the weekly meeting of the Lloydminster Concerned Citizens for Seniors Care. “They are listening, and they are hearing.”
The health ministers from both Saskatchewan and Alberta met with the mayor recently, providing the municipal leader the opportunity to speak on health matters.
Aalbers updated the Concerned Seniors meeting on progress being made on the health file. The Lloydminster and District Health Advisory Council has a 12-point priority list which has been delivered to the consultant gathering the data for the Health Assessment Survey that is underway.
The list includes chemotherapy spaces, pediatric ward, full intensive care unit, and more operating rooms among its priorities.
Aalbers says the priority list is an ongoing discussion, and they hope to have the health ministers back to continue discussions. He said he was recently interviewed by the consultant leading the Health Assessment Survey.
“There were both Alberta and Saskatchewan representatives on the call. So, they got the message pretty loud and clear. Now we will see what the report says. My hope is there is actually money in next spring’s budget to start the process. The process is, let’s start planning and executing.”
Issues raised at the Concerned Seniors meeting included the revenue that Lloydminster and area have contributed to both provinces over the years and the need to see something in return particular by way of new or expanded health infrastructure, like a new hospital.
“The health ministers are hearing the discussions. It’s important to remind people that the hospitals in Saskatchewan that are being replaced today were built in the sixties,” says Aalbers.
The Lloydminster Hospital was built in the 80s to serve 15,000 people. But the present catchment area of Lloydminster has some 200,000 people. The point raised at the Concerned Seniors meeting is that Lloydminster for all its revenue contributions to both provinces remains underserved when it comes to healthcare.
“We need to have money in the budget of March 2026 that says there is going to be some action taken,” concludes Aalbers.
