Women seek provincial support for surgery in California

Three Saskatchewan women areat the legislature today, asking the health minister to pay for surgery in California.

The women say they are suffering serious complications after having transvaginalmeshes implanted in them.

The meshes are usedto treat such conditions as pelvic prolapses or bladder prolapses, but the womensay there are problems when they break down.

The women say no Canadian doctor is willing to removeall of the mesh and that's why theyhave to go to the U.S. for surgery.

"We are angry, we are sick and we are in pain, " said Marika English, who'sfrom Prince Albert. "And we have a message for women. You have to educate yourself. Don't end up like us, don't."

English has surgery booked in California next week to remove the mesh.

Unless the government agrees to pay for it, it will cost her $30,000.

Saskatchewan's Minister of Health, Dustin Duncan, saidtreatment is available in Canada.

Duncan said a surgeon in B.C. devotes athird of his practice toremoving mesh.

"In cases where out-of-country treatment is sought first we look out-of-province and if that is available, then that is the first option that is taken," Duncan said.

According to government officials, in addition to the B.C. surgeon there are at least eightother Canadian physicians who can do a mesh-removal procedure.