KENORA — Patients who currently have to travel hundreds of kilometres to Thunder Bay for an MRI scan will be able to get the medical imaging done in Kenora in the future.
The Ontario government has announced an investment of up to $7.6 million to build a state-of-the-art Magnetic Resonance Imaging suite at Lake of the Woods District Hospital.
The funding was disclosed Tuesday by Greg Rickford, the MPP for Kenora-Rainy River.
MRI is a non-invasive imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take detailed pictures of organs and tissues in the body.
It can be used in the diagnosis of various health problems, including tumours, heart disease and brain injuries.
Nearly 1,600 square feet of space in the hospital will be renovated to house the suite.
The government said the new machine will improve timely access to diagnostic services for patients in the Kenora and Sioux Narrows areas and several First Nations communities.
It will mean "earlier diagnoses, faster treatments and more time spent at home with loved ones," Rickford said.
Cheryl O'Flaherty, president and CEO of Lake of the Woods District Hospital, thanked the government for recognizing the need for an MRI in Kenora, saying it will lead to improved health outcomes.
The announcement did not include a timeline for completion of the project.
The hospital is responsible for covering the capital cost of the machine.
