The controversy over the provincial government cancelling the purchase of genetic sequencing equipment by the Regional Hospital Foundation has been defused. Premier Brian Gallant coming to town to announce the purchase, with money raised by donations to “The Give”, can proceed after all of the facts were sifted through.
Gallant says another factor is the commitment by the Regional Hospital to watch the bottom line and keep the expenses within the operational budget but denies the backlash and anger in Saint John forced a change of mind on the part of his government.
The Premier says the purchase was approved by the previous Conservative government which he charges did not have a provincial policy on how all communities will collaborate in healthcare.
The Chief of Staff at the Regional Hospital, Dr. John Dornan has praise for the government saying it demonstrated maturity and made a wise decision.
In Moncton, the Director of the Atlantic Cancer Research Institute, Dr. Rodney Ouellette says the Institute stopped testing samples as of yesterday afternoon. He believes New Brunswick doesn’t need two such labs.
