The Manitoba government has committed $510,000 in annual funding for the operating costs of a new specialized MRI at CancerCare Manitoba.
The unit provides enhanced imaging for cancer treatment planning and monitoring purposes, and allows for improved accuracy in identifying tumour boundaries. Its advanced techniques allow for the customization of a patient’s cancer treatment, and configuration to potentially characterize cancer growth and track aggressiveness.
“This specialized MRI unit will significantly improve the level of clinical care for Manitobans living with cancer,” said Health Minister Audrey Gordon.
“This is a great day for Manitoba as we will be able to bring advanced MRI technology to our cancer patients,” said Dr. Sri Navaratnam, president and CEO, CancerCare Manitoba. “Not only will this bring significant clinical benefits to our patients, but it will also provide numerous research opportunities to continually advance and improve patient care.”
In addition, the province is also providing $150,000 through the Diagnostic and Surgical Recovery Task Force (DSRTF) to make the MRI unit available on evenings and weekends. It is estimated that the expanded operation will allow for 1,000 more scans which will help reduce wait times.
Plans are underway for the construction of the specialized MRI which should begin late this year early in 2024. The total cost is expected to top $8.4 million.
