Saint John Regional Hospital will get DNA equipment, premier says

The Saint John Regional Hospital will get its DNA sequencing equipment after all.

Premier Brian Gallant announced Thursday at the hospital thatthe purchase will go through.

"After many meetings, after many discussions with the Saint John Regional Hospital and the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation, we are very pleased to announce that we will allow the purchaseof genetic sequencing equipment to proceed," Gallant said.

"We're very excited about what this will be able to do for the region and for health care in general in the province," he said.

"Weare also very happy that the people who gave, good hard-earned money to the foundation will be able to see what they donated to, move forward."

Health minister had blocked $900K donation

Earlier this month, the foundation announcedHealth Minister Victor Boudreauhadblocked the purchase, after the foundation raised $900,000.

"[Boudreau]directed the Horizon Health board of directors not to accept the offer of funding from the Saint John Regional Hospital Foundation," it said, becausethe same equipment is already available inMoncton, not operating at full capacity,and the province can't afford two testing centres.

The equipment tests tumour biopsies to determine the DNA of the cancer and the best course of treatment. The Saint John Regional Hospital currently sends all of its tests out of province.

Gallant says thehospital has committed to keeping within its operating budget, even with the new equipment.

"We do have fiscal challenges as a province and I do appreciate their commitment to make sure that they keep expenses down and make sure that while we deliver strong health care we also look at the bottom line."

Saint John and Moncton will now be able to collaborate on genetic sequencing, "learn from each other, and make sure that we build on some of the efficiency that we can find in our respective communities, he added.

Jeff McAloon, the chief executive officer of the hospital foundation,could not say how soon the equipment will be in place, butsaysthey are "absolutely thrilled."

"This is a day of gratitude and a day of happiness. We are grateful that the government has taken their time to look at all of the information that has been required to make this difficultdecision," he said.

"We're grateful for our donors that have supported thisinitiative and we're grateful for the community for voicing their support toward the important work that happens in this hospital."

Gallant thanked the foundation for its professionalism in recent weeks.

"I know this hasn't been an easy time for them," he said.

"Despite the fact that certainly, I'm sure they felt some unease, they handled it very professionally and they were always willing totalk with us and have a good constructivedialogue and I very much appreciate that, and I think it had led to a positive result for everybody across the province."

Some donors had called for their money back if it wasn't going to be used for the sequencing equipment.

Bruce Dowd, who wrote the first cheque for $125,000, was among them.

He says the government has "finally seen the light, seen the business case."