The Sun Country Health Region has used a $24,000 donation to purchase two new pieces of equipment, a Holter monitor and a recovery room stretcher, for the Weyburn General Hospital.

The donation was given by Group Medical Services, a non-profit Saskatchewan company. Shirley Raab, CEO of Group Medical, said they have many customers in the region who have been strong supporters over the years.

"This donation is our way of giving back to them and to our community in a way that is meaningful," said Raab, who was once vice-president of Finance for the South Central Health District.

The total cost of the stretcher and monitor is roughly $9,000. Of that amount, $7,200 is being used for the stretcher, which will allow for easy transfer of patients from the operating station to the recovery room.

The $1,800 Holter monitor is used for outpatients to have their heart rhythms monitored in a "community setting" out of the hospital.

The remainder of the donation will be used for a $10,000 portable respirator at Kipling Hospital, and a $5,000 autoclave sterilizer for the Galloway Health Centre in Oxbow.

The former is used for "emergency stabilization" and will allow for safer transport of patients to tertiary care, while the latter is used for sterilizing instruments and medical equipment.

"This new equipment will improve safety and comfort for our patients and staff," said Marga Cugnet, vice-president of Primary and Integrated Care for Sun Country, in a statement.

The donation to Sun Country is part of the Group Medical Services' "commitment to contribute $200,000 to health regions across the province," according to a press release.