The province is investing an additional $8.7 million to purchase advanced diagnostic equipment as part of its $120-million commitment for new and upgraded medical equipment over the next four years. This announcement was made by Health Minister Theresa Oswald.
“Providing new, specialized medical and diagnostic equipment at health facilities throughout Manitoba remains a priority for our government,” said Oswald. “These essential, strategic investments will decrease wait times and ensure that we continue to provide accessible, quality health care throughout our province.”
The minister said the new technologies and state-of-the-art equipment are essential in identifying health issues and determining an appropriate course of treatment. They will give clinicians a progressive, flexible modern environment in which to complete their work, ensure better, faster, more dependable test results and reduce service disruptions due to breakdowns that are common with older equipment, she said.
Upgraded advanced equipment includes:
• an MRI scanner for St. Boniface General Hospital,
• a CT scanner for Bethesda Hospital in Steinbach to provide better quality imaging with advanced dose-reduction technology,
• a C-Arm for St. Boniface General Hospital to allow X-ray images to be taken at various angles,
• hematology analyzer systems for the Health Sciences Centre and St. Boniface General Hospital to improve lab testing turnaround times,
• radiology suites in Lynn Lake and Gillam, and
• two bone densitometers at St. Boniface General Hospital and one at the Brandon Regional Health Centre to provide faster processing speed and improved capacity to offer testing to obese patients.
“These essential investments in new diagnostic tools will provide many benefits including more detailed, precise information for physicians,” said Dr. Brock Wright, senior vice-president and chief medical officer, Winnipeg Regional Health Authority. “The new equipment will also allow for faster, more dependable testing and a more comfortable environment for patients, which will improve their overall patient experience and provide better patient outcomes.”
The province will continue to fund new and upgraded equipment based on recommendations from doctors and regional health authorities, said Oswald.
