Riverside Health Care has kicked off its plans to raise money for a new MRI machine with a staff-only event.
It has also revealed that the campaign aims to raise $1.6 million.
The new machine will be located at La Verendrye General Hospital in Fort Frances.
The campaign also intends to raise funds to upgrade the digital radiography units at La Verendrye and Rainy River Health Centre.
“Digital radiography enhances patient care by providing faster, clearer images with lower radiation exposure, enabling quicker diagnosis and treatment. Bringing this upgraded technology to Rainy River Health Centre means patients are getting the gold standard of care with their imaging,” states Andrea Faragher, Riverside’s Director of Diagnostic Services, in a release.
Riverside Health Care Chief of Staff, Dr. Lucas Keffer says MRI is a versatile diagnostic tool to help diagnose certain cancers, strokes, muscular and neurological injuries, as well as complex infections involving bones, joints, and the spine.
“Having an MRI machine in Fort Frances is very exciting and will save district residents a great deal of travel to Thunder Bay,” says Dr. Keffer.
Hospitals in Kenora and Sioux Lookout are also raising funds for new MRI units.
The Ministry of Health announced a $7.6 million investment into the Kenora project last November while supporting in January an $8.1 million project in Sioux Lookout.
The Ministry has not yet publicly announced its support for Riverside’s project but could be forthcoming in the near future.
