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The City of Dryden is being asked for financial support for the new MRI in Sioux Lookout.
The president and CEO of the Meno Ya Win Health Center Dean Osmond says a lot of patients from Dryden already use the Sioux Lookout hospital for specific treatments.
He’s hoping Dryden contributes to the MRI fundraising campaign.
“They’ve (the Hospital Foundation) raised a lot a money for a small community,” Osmond told Dryden City Council at Monday night’s open meeting.
“People have been very generous to try and get this MRI here because it means so much for the people we serve. Right now, Dryden is the people we serve as well and will serve for the MRI.”
Osmond says the goal of the fundraising effort is about $3 million.
“Probably about $2.5 million for the machine, somewhere in that neighborhood. And then probably the rest of the equipment in the room…a couple of hundred thousand. To be fully transparent, I’m still working with the Ministry (of Health) to get as much money as I can.”
Osmond says the provincial government has already committed $8 million to build an expansion to the hospital to house the MRI, and they have received operating funding for the MRI.
The Town of Sioux Lookout has already committed $75 thousand over three years towards the MRI.
Osmond says he doesn’t expect that kind of support from Dryden, but any monetary donation to the campaign would be welcome.
He says he is disappointed the Federal government is not committing any funding to the project.
