On Oct. 18, the Saskatchewan government announced $5 million in funding to clinical trials of a controversial multiple sclerosis treatment.

Italian doctor Paolo Zamboni created the treatment in 2009. It relies on the hypothesis that there is a link between chronic cerebrospinal venous insufficiency — which causes vein blockages in the neck — and multiple sclerosis. The treatment widens veins in the neck to remove blockages.

The funding announcement by the Sask Party comes after the federal government and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research refused to fund the treatment, stating that there was not enough objective evidence supporting the treatment at the moment.

Premier Brad Wall, however, feels funding the treatment is a good investment.

“I am proud that our province is taking leadership on this important health issue which affects so many people in Saskatchewan and in Canada,” said Wall.

The Saskatchewan Health Research Foundation — which will work on the project on behalf of the Saskatchewan government — is currently assembling a research team.