November 17, 2003
Health Minister Dave Chomiak today unveiled a neuro-angiography suite at the Health Sciences Centre which he said will help establish Manitoba as a centre of excellence for neurosurgery.
"This equipment will provide a faster and more accurate diagnosis, thereby reducing wait times for diagnostic services," said Chomiak. "The neuro-angiography suite will help us in our ongoing efforts to be a national leader in neurosurgery."
The suite is a highly specialized piece of diagnostic equipment used to examine blood vessels three dimensionally in the brain. For patients, this means less invasive surgery, faster and more accurate diagnoses of aneurysms, better planned therapies and less time in hospital. The suite can provide diagnostic testing for approximately 10 to 15 patients a week.
"This suite allows medical staff at the Health Sciences Centre and patients across the province to access the most up-to-date equipment available," said Dr. Brian Postl, chief executive officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority (WRHA). "This is one more step toward cementing the Health Sciences Centre's position as a centre of excellence for neurosurgery in Canada."
"This equipment is an important piece in the development of another excellent diagnostic treatment for Manitoba," said Dr. Blake McClarty, medical director, WRHA Diagnostic Imaging Program. "This is a major improvement in patient care."
Chomiak said the investment in this technology is another part of Manitoba Health's commitment to improve the fundamentals of health care, including:
The new equipment, valued at $2 million, originates from the federal government's Health Equipment and Infrastructure Fund. It is part of the Neurosurgery Expansion Program at the Health Sciences Centre and is a complement to other state-of-the-art equipment.
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