LA RONGE, Sask. — Mayor Joe Hurdyski said the town and nearby communities have access to basic health services.
Still, residents often rely on emergency medical care and air ambulance transportation when they need more specialized care.
He said the community’s location makes emergency medical transportation particularly important, noting the role of Rise Air’s air ambulance service and its partnership with emergency medical services. He credited the service with helping residents receive critical care when they need it.
“Most of the time, an ambulance will take care of that, but when it is important care and time is needed, obviously airlift is the way to go. A lot of people in our community do take advantage of that service, and a lot of cases wouldn’t be here if it weren’t for that service,” Hurdyski said.
At the same time, Hurdyski said La Ronge needs more health-care services locally because it serves as a hub for communities throughout northern Saskatchewan. He said the town will continue lobbying for additional services, including dialysis and other forms of care.
“We are a stepping stone for the north, you know, the centre of the north. We should have more services. They shouldn’t have to go beyond unless it is specialized care,” said Hurdyski, who emphasized the importance of communication between health care providers and emergency services.
He added that, especially when multiple emergencies happen at the same time, agencies need to continually review call volumes and communicate whether resources are sufficient to meet demand.
“We’re always reviewing the history of our calls,” Hurdyski said, adding that conversations between the Saskatchewan Health Authority, La Ronge Emergency Medical Services, and Rise Air are important to ensure services can respond when needed.
Beyond emergency response and health-care access, Hurdyski believes lifestyle changes have contributed to some of the health challenges facing the community. He pointed to changes in diet and daily habits.
“People used to have more natural, you know, eat wildlife and berries, and those kinds of things. Now everybody’s in a rush. All we have is fast food, and it catches up to people,” said Hurdyski, who added that residents should watch for warning signs about their health condition.
He also urged residents to make healthier choices before manageable conditions become emergencies. While the community continues to advocate for more health-care resources, he said maintaining a healthy lifestyle can also help reduce pressure on the system and improve residents’ quality of life.
