Manitoba announces spending on diagnostic gear

WINNIPEG – The Manitoba government is investing $11.9 million in new diagnostic equipment to replace equipment nearing the end of its service life, Health Minister Erin Selby (pictured) announced. “Modernizing health equipment is a priority to ensure that health-care facilities continue to offer the best possible care to Manitoba’s families for years to come,” said Minister Selby. “By replacing old technology, we can make our diagnostic services even better.”

Equipment purchases will include:

• a multi-detector scanner, portable ultrasound machine and dual-detector radiography suite with ceiling-mounted patient lift at Health Sciences Centre;
• a CT scanner and C-arm at Concordia Hospital;
• a CT scanner at Misericordia Health Centre;
• a gamma camera at Brandon Regional Health Centre;
• conventional radiographic systems in Glenboro, Flin Flon and Minnedosa;
• a mass spectrometer and portable ultrasound scanner at St. Boniface General Hospital;
• radiography suites in Eriksdale and Neepawa;
• new computed radiography equipment which enhances the X-ray machines in Dauphin and Swan River;
• an ultrasound scanner at Victoria General Hospital; and
• a high-resolution digital ultrasound system at St. Boniface Cancer Care.

“Diagnostic Services Manitoba is proud to offer imaging services to Manitoba’s rural communities,” said Jim Slater, CEO. “The equipment upgrades allow us to continue providing safe, quality results that matter to patients and their physicians to help diagnose and treat health concerns.”

The minister noted that since 1999 the provincial government has invested more than $145 million in new and replacement diagnostic equipment and services across the province. These investments have resulted in better services for Manitobans – for example, Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scans alone have increased from 10,622 in 1999 to 70,410 in 2013.

For more information on diagnostic services in Manitoba, visit www.dsmanitoba.ca.