The Manitoba government is contributing $25 million toward capital projects at the Health Sciences Centre (HSC) Children’s Hospital as part of the Children’s Hospital Foundation Better Futures Campaign, including funding for a renovated and modernized emergency department.

“As a parent, there is nothing more important than your child’s health. Our government believes a space meant for your child, the most important person in your life, should be the best it can possibly be,” said Premier Wab Kinew. “We’re proud to support this ambitious campaign to modernize a new emergency department and improve pediatric care for the littlest Manitobans.”

The Children’s Hospital Foundation launched its largest-ever fundraising campaign in 2022 with a historic goal to raise $75 million for the Children’s Hospital and its research institute. The campaign focused on improving facilities, equipment and technology, and enhancing programs to support children and families in hospital. Thanks to the generosity of Manitobans and the commitment of the foundation, the campaign has surpassed its goal.

“We are thankful to the Manitobans who gave to support the Better Futures campaign,” said Stefano Grande, president and CEO, Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba. “Now with the Manitoba government funding to support new and emerging needs that have been identified at HSC Children’s Hospital, it will help alleviate some of the pressure points of needing added space in Children’s Hospital surgical suites and pediatric dialysis unit, electronic upgrades, multidisciplinary team space and improvements in safe, child-friendly and mental health focused spaces for kids. HSC Children’s is an aging building and one of the oldest children’s hospitals in Canada, so it needs ongoing renovations to keep up with the wonderful care our specialized pediatric teams provide to the kids. We are grateful to the province for this contribution.”

Manitoba’s $25-million contribution will go towards the ‘Manitoba Project’ to fund significant capital infrastructure projects, aimed at lowering emergency room wait times, increasing surgical capacity and improving the experience of children and parents at the hospital.

“Our kids are our future and their health is our top priority. This funding will support so many critical projects at the Children’s Hospital that will make sure children, and their families, are well taken care of,” said Health, Seniors and Long-Term Care Minister Uzoma Asagwara. “Entering an emergency room is never easy, especially when you’re a kid. This funding ensures that every kid is met with safe, comfortable and quality care in the ED. I want to congratulate the foundation on its successful campaign and look forward to working together to ensure children have access to care when and where they need it.”

The Manitoba government’s commitment will support:

  • a modernized emergency department that will increase patient flow and allow health-care workers to deliver the best care possible;
  • 70 modernized in-patient pediatric beds to make it more comfortable for patients and their families including those with immunosuppressed conditions and respiratory viruses;
  • new operating rooms to increase capacity for other complex surgeries; and
  • redevelopment of the pediatric hemodialysis unit to ensure that children are as safe and comfortable as possible when they are undergoing hemodialysis.

More information about the HSC Children’s Hospital can be found at hsc.mb.ca.