March 17, 2003

Dialysis patients in the Island Lake region of Northern Manitoba will be able to access treatment at a new $5.2 million renal health and treatment unit to be built at Garden Hill and funded by the provincial government.

Premier Gary Doer made the announcement today at a ceremony at the Manitoba Legislative Building.

"Construction of the six-station renal health and treatment unit will serve the First Nation communities of the Island Lake area including Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Wasagamack and Red Sucker Lake," said Doer. "This region’s population is approaching 10,000, roughly the size of Portage la Prairie. Primary health care is critical for a population this size and today’s announcement will make it possible for patients to receive the care they need, to be treated close to home, and to ensure their lives and the lives of their families are not unduly disrupted."

This investment in a remote and northern renal health complex is part of Manitoba Health’s ongoing plan to build on the fundamentals of health care including:

• investing in medical equipment as well as redeveloping and building hospitals, personal care homes and other facilities needed to operate a modern health care system;
• training, recruiting and retaining doctors, nurses and other health professionals to practise in Manitoba’s cities as well as rural and Northern Manitoba; and
• fostering innovation in health care such as investment in Manitoba Telehealth, Healthlinks and other technological advancements that help bring patient care and health information to Manitobans wherever they live.

"I would like to commend the hard work by everyone involved in establishing the Island Lake First Nation renal care and dialysis centre," said Chief Alex McDougal of the Wasagamack First Nation. "The commitment and follow-through on the part of the provincial government has been considerable. The partnerships between provincial and federal governments and First Nations have been instrumental in the establishment of this vital health facility."

"Health Canada is pleased to have participated through the joint health governance working group in making the Island Lake renal health unit a reality," said federal Health Minister Anne McLellan. "Health Canada’s diabetes treatment and prevention strategy will be moved forward by the collaboration that will take place between Health Canada staff at the new nursing station and staff at the renal health unit."

The premier acknowledged Island Lake First Nation, Four Arrows Regional Health Authority, Health Canada, Manitoba Health, Manitoba Aboriginal and Northern Affairs, the University of Manitoba, the Northern Medical Unit and the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority’s Manitoba Renal Program for their hard work in making the renal unit a reality.

"This innovative project has come about through the willingness of all parties to work together creatively and collaboratively," said Doer. "By emphasizing quality, high standards and ongoing evaluation, the partners have developed a first class project that will enhance the health of community residents for years to come."

The premier also noted the importance of working with post-secondary institutions to train medical professionals for the North. He said innovative educational approaches are needed to increase the resource pool of medical professionals for all sectors of northern health care.

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BACKGROUND INFORMATION.

• The Island Lake Renal Health and Treatment Unit is the first dialysis unit outside a hospital in Manitoba and is the first unit in an isolated and remote community.
• Total cost of the renal health and treatment unit and the staff residence will be approximately $5.2 million. The new unit will cost $3.4 million while the staff residence will cost $1.8 million.
• The unit, to be built in Garden Hill, will be located within the new federal nursing station. Construction of the facility will begin in the spring. A residence for staff will be constructed simultaneously, adjacent to the new station.
• The number of patients requiring dialysis services in Manitoba has increased dramatically since 1991, with First Nations people and residents in the Island Lakes region having one of the highest incidences of renal disease in Manitoba.
• The region has a population of approximately 10,000 people, about the size of Portage la Prairie.
• The project will provide six dialysis treatment stations as well as washrooms, waiting room, Telehealth room, and staff and renal health (education/prevention) outreach offices.
• The main floor dialysis treatment area is 5,286 square feet, the basement mechanical and storage area is 4,950 square feet.
• The Island Lake Renal Health and Treatment Unit falls in line with the province’s Diabetes Strategy. The strategy provides a plan to reduce the number of cases of diabetes, reduce its devastating effects, reduce the costs of the disease and forge strong, long-lasting partnerships for diabetes prevention, education, care, research and support in Manitoba.
• The Island Lake Renal Health and Treatment Unit is an example of the province’s Northern Development Strategy. The strategy has five priorities for creating a strong North including quality health care, good housing, reliable transportation, employment and training, and economic development.