News Summary

The Royal University Hospital (RUH) Foundation in Saskatoon has launched a campaign to raise $1.2 million for a state-of-the-art neurosurgical robot and deep brain imaging guidance technology. This initiative aims to enhance the quality of life for patients with drug-resistant epilepsy, a condition affecting approximately 12,000 residents in Saskatchewan. Currently, about 30% of these patients do not respond to standard anti-seizure medications. The new robotic system will assist surgeons in precisely mapping seizure locations within the brain and is expected to significantly improve seizure care in the province. The campaign received a significant boost from philanthropist Merlis Belsher and his family, who pledged $700,000, including a dollar-for-dollar match of donations up to $600,000. The RUH Foundation is working closely with the provincial government and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to ensure the success of this project. Dr. Amit Persad, a RUH neurosurgeon, is acquiring specialized training to operate the robotic system, which will allow patients to receive world-class care locally rather than traveling out of province.