The Weyburn Rebekahs Lodge are hoping that cataract surgeries can become a part of the Sun Country Regional Health Authority's three-year strategic plan, and offered at the Weyburn General Hospital.

Isabelle Butters of the Rebekahs made a presentation to the health region at their Weyburn stop in a round of consultation meetings being held for their three-year strategic plan, and requested that the health authority make necessary funds available as a specialist and equipment are now in place here.

In her presentation, Butters noted that Dr. Tom Paszkiewicz, an eye specialist, is now resident in Weyburn, and an operating microscope, a "sergiscope 5 zoom" worth over $26,000, was placed at the Weyburn General Hospital.

Marga Cugnet, vice-president of primary and integrated care for Sun Country, said time won't allow this request to be a part of this year's budget for the health authority, as the preliminary budget was submitted in November, and the board is working on finalizing this year's budget right now.

"If we were looking introducing any new programs, we'd have to give Sask Health a heads up about it first," added Cugnet.

When Dr. Paszkiewicz first came to Weyburn, members of the Rebekahs and the Rotary Club approached Sun Country about the possibility of cataract surgery here, which would cut down on the miles of travel currently required by seniors who need this surgery, and it might encourage the doctor to remain here in this community. Currently, the surgery is carried out in Regina, Moose Jaw, Saskatoon and out-of-province.

Butters noted that Cugnet was "very upfront that no funds were in the budget that year for cataract surgery", and that Dr. Paszkiewicz would have to write some exams first, which Butters said he has now done.

After the microscope was installed and no surgeries were being performed, she said, the Rebekahs contacted the health authority again about this issue.

"Further contact was made with Ms. Cugnet and she advised that Dr. Paszkiewicz would require a backup ophthalmologist. This he has had for many months now in the person of Dr. Brotha, located in Moose Jaw," said Butters, therefore the lodge was again making the request of Sun Country to provide funds in their budget for this surgery.

The submission was made as part of the consultations for the three-year strategic plan, with the other public hearings for the plan wrapping up this week. Cugnet said on Monday the board wants to now compile all the information and have the plan completed by the end of March.

Asked if this submission will be a part of the strategic plan, she said first the board will have to consider it along with the other submissions and their overall plan for the health region, and will have to make a decision based on all their information.