A tender is being released for the construction of a 22-station hemodialysis unit at Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg (HSC Winnipeg) to address the growing demand for renal dialysis in Manitoba.
“Rates of chronic kidney disease are high in Manitoba and rising across Canada,” said Manitoba, Health, Seniors and Active Living Minister Cameron Friesen. “This added capacity for patients will ensure the growing number of Manitobans who need hemodialysis service will receive it.”
The additional hemodialysis stations will be located at the Diagnostic Centre of Excellence at HSC Winnipeg.
“This new addition to the Manitoba Renal Program will expand our capacity to further ensure timely access for our patients to this critically important treatment within the region,” said Real Cloutier, president and chief executive officer, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “The interdisciplinary team of health-care professionals at the Manitoba Renal Program, administered by the region, has been providing quality care and education about kidney disease to Manitobans for more than 20 years. This latest addition to the program will build on that success.”
It is expected that up to 132 patients will be able to access hemodialysis services at the site at full capacity, Friesen noted.
“The addition of these stations at HSC Winnipeg expands our ability to meet the growing dialysis needs of acutely ill adults and children with kidney disease,” said Ronan Segrave, interim chief operating office, HSC Winnipeg. “This investment will have significant impact on the lives of patients and their loved ones whom we serve across Manitoba and beyond.”
Hemodialysis uses a machine to remove blood from the body, clean it and return it to the body. Peritoneal dialysis cycles a solution into and out of the stomach through a tube to collect and get rid of waste and fluid.
“In recent years, Manitoba has seen an increasing need for hemodialysis in urban centres. These units provide significant support for chronic, new, emergent and hospitalized dialysis patients,” said Dr. Mauro Verrelli, medical director, Manitoba Renal Program. “This new unit will be critical in serving a growing need for hemodialysis in our province.”
The minister noted the investment in additional stations builds on recent service expansions in Brandon. There, the province invested more than $500,000 each year to expand the home peritoneal dialysis program and the home hemodialysis program.
There are currently more than 1,700 people with kidney failure receiving life-saving dialysis treatment in Manitoba including 385 patients on home dialysis. An additional 5,495 Manitobans are being treated for stages one to five chronic kidney disease.
