May 03, 2006

MORDEN-WINKLER—Health Minister Tim Sale today announced the future installation of a state-of-the-art $3-million magnetic resonance imager (MRI) for Boundary Trails Health Centre, bringing this vital piece of diagnostic equipment to a second health-care facility outside Winnipeg.

"The MRI at Boundary Trails will provide residents living in the southeast and central regions of the province access to tests closer to home," Sale said here today. "This investment shows the government’s commitment to provide the best possible health services to Manitobans no matter where they live."

"This initiative aligns with the region’s vision to enhance access to diagnostic services and treatment," said Neil Walker, CEO of the Regional Health Authority – Central Manitoba. "State-of-the-art diagnostic tools are not only essential for the provision of quality patient care but are also critical to retain and attract all health-care professionals including radiologists, surgeons, family physicians, technologists and nurses to rural centres of excellence such as Boundary Trails."

Magnetic resonance imaging produces detailed pictures of internal human anatomy and provides high-quality test results safely and quickly.

The total cost of the project including the purchase of the new MRI unit and the construction of the facility to house the MRI is approximately $5 million.

The project will be funded by the Manitoba government through the province’s Diagnostic Medical Equipment Fund, the Regional Health Authority – Central Manitoba and donations from the Boundary Trails Health Centre Foundation, City of Winkler, Town of Morden, local municipalities and Manitoba businessman John Buhler. The project is a key component of Manitoba Health’s Wait-time Reduction Strategy.

"Many people in the community have played an integral part in today’s announcement," said Sale. "I want to thank the regional health authority, the health centre foundation the City of Winkler, the Town of Morden and Mr. Buhler for all the hard work in getting this project underway."

In October, the province announced $25.5 million for more diagnostic testing as a part of the $155 million Manitoba Wait-time Reduction Strategy. That plan includes:

• more diagnostic testing,

• more surgeries,

• more health professionals,

• system innovation and better wait-list management, and

• prevention and health promotion.

"The Canadian Association of Radiologists has said that Manitoba has one of the best wait times for MRIs in the country and that they are getting shorter," said Sale. "The government’s mission in health care is to provide better care sooner and the announcement of an MRI unit for Boundary Trails Health Centre is another key part of our plan to improve diagnostic wait times."

Since 1999, the Manitoba government has invested more than $70 million in diagnostic equipment. The MRI is expected to be up and running by 2007-08.

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