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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - An Alberta doctor is asking the territorial government to cover the cost of a Yellowknife residents' prosthetic leg.

Yellowknifer obtained a copy of a letter sent by Dr. Jacqueline Hebert, clinical director of the adult amputee program at the Glenrose Rehabilitation Hospital in Edmonton and the doctor assigned to Jeff Merrill's case, asking the Department of Health and Social Services to cover the cost of the prosthesis and the ongoing treatment required.

The doctor states in the letter that "a below the knee prosthesis would significantly benefit this gentleman's productivity, life and function by improving his ability to contribute as a working member of society and his community."

Hebert also wrote "this is the first time I have encountered a situation of no funding source for coverage" as director of the adult rehabilitation program.

Jeff Merrill, a Yellowknife business owner and a father of five children had his leg amputated on Sept. 12 after he was injured in a motorcycle accident Sept. 6.

He said he was told throughout the rehabilitation process that the leg would be covered under the territory's extended health care policy, but when it came time to get his prosthetic limb he was refused coverage.

The leg is expected to cost $10,000 to $12,000, money Merrill and his wife Yvonne Haward say they can't afford to pay.

Hebert states in the letter that socket replacements are required every one to two years based on changes in limb shape and activity level and "it is beyond reasonable expectation that most individuals would be able to continue to fund prosthetic sockets and prosthetic components over their lifetime."

When contacted about the letter, Health Minister Sandy Lee's office said it could not confirm or deny they had received it due to confidentiality issues.

Merrill is scheduled to return to Yellowknife this Friday. If he can't come up with the money to pay for the prosthetic leg, he will have to return without it.

The Yellowknife Elk's Club has donated $2,000 to help alleviate some of the financial burden.

Elk's Club general manager Ken Rogers said they donated the money because there were kids involved.

"Every situation has its merits and that's what it's based on," he said.

"It's a matter of helping the family out with some of their expenses while they get things straightened out."