The Pallister Government is set to invest almost $5.2M for dialysis services in the Province.

 

Premier Brian Pallister was in Thompson earlier this week to make the announcement, alongside the Minister of Health, Seniors and Active Living Cameron Friesen.

 

The announced investment includes $2.4M this year, and will see in-centre dialysis expanded to accommodate an additional six patients in Thompson.

Friesen said that receiving services closer to home is integral to the government’s approach to improving Manitoba’s health system, and that expanding dialysis services in communities will make it easier for Manitobans living with kidney disease and kidney failure to access the health care that they need.

 

NDP leader Wab Kinew spoke to Arctic Radio News afterwards, and said that the missing piece to the announcement is prevention.

Kinew said there is a lot that could be done to help prevent and manage diseases like diabetes at home, such as diet and exercise, which would help prevent dialysis from happening later on.  

 

Other facilities that will see expanded dialysis services include Portage la Prairie, Pine Falls, Hodgson, the Boundary Trails Health Centre and Winnipeg.