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After lobbying for a couple of years, Sioux Lookout’s Meno Ya Win Health Center is finally getting a Magnetic Image Resonance machine.
The Ministry of Health has announced $8.1 million to build and operate the MRI suite.
The funding includes a 1,900 square foot addition to the hospital to house the MRI.
“Today’s announcement marks a significant step toward bridging the healthcare gap for northern and First Nation communities,” said Greg Rickford, Minister of Northern Development, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation, and MPP for Kenora-Rainy River.
“We’ve heard from families that have travelled in the middle of the night for appointments in Thunder Bay and beyond. By investing in the first-ever MRI suite in Sioux Lookout, as well as Lake
of the Woods District Hospital, we’re improving wait times, delivering faster diagnoses, and ensuring better health outcomes for patients across the Northwest.”
The MRI will not only be used for patients in Sioux Lookout, Hudson, Savant Lake and Pickle Lake, but several First Nations in the north.
It’s expected to be available to as many a 50 thousand people.
“Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Center Foundation staff and Foundation Board members are elated with this great news” says Rob McClendon, SLMHC Foundation President.
“We would love to see the MRI in Sioux Lookout operational as soon as possible and have been continuously working to help bring this goal closer to reality. We would like to thank the businesses, community groups and individuals throughout Northwestern Ontario for your support thus far.”
Fundraising for the MRI began last year.
An MRI for Kenora was announced back in November.
