August 06, 2004

A new $5.2 million renal health and treatment unit funded by the provincial government was officially opened today in Garden Hill.

As part of this initiative, Health Canada has also provided $3 million for a new federal nursing station where the new Island Lake Renal Health and Treatment Unit is housed.

The new renal health and treatment unit, which will be managed by the University of Manitoba Northern Medical Unit, will improve access for dialysis patients in the Island Lake region of Northern Manitoba.

"This is the first dialysis unit outside a Manitoba hospital and the first unit in a remote community," said Health Minister Dave Chomiak. "This new service in the community will make an important difference for people in several communities, minimizing the disruption of their lives and the lives of their families as they receive the health care services they need close to home."

"This facility is a great example of federal-provincial co-operation," said Reg Alcock, president of the Treasury Board and minister responsible for the Canadian Wheat Board. "This shared facility will greatly enhance the local health services available in the region."

"We are so pleased with the development and opportunity to host a renal health and treatment centre for the people in the Island Lake area," said David Harper, chief, Garden Hill First Nation.

The Island Lake area includes Garden Hill, St. Theresa Point, Wasagamach and Red Sucker Lake.

Since 1991, the number of patients requiring dialysis services in Manitoba has increased dramatically with First Nations people and residents in the Island Lakes region having one of the highest incidences of renal disease in Manitoba. In an area with a regional population of almost 10,000, the unit will provide six dialysis treatment stations as well as washrooms, waiting room, Telehealth room, and staff and renal health education and prevention outreach offices.

The health minister 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.

"The investment in a remote and northern renal health complex is part of the Manitoba government’s long-term plan to invest in Northern Manitoba communities," said Culture, Heritage and Tourism Minister Eric Robinson.

Manitoba’s Northern Development Strategy recognizes that northern people must be full partners in creating a strong and sustainable economy and focuses on the priorities identified by northern Manitobans including transportation, health, employment and training, housing and economic development.

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