Campaign to Bring MRI to Sioux Lookout Officially Kicks Off

The Sioux Lookout Meno Ya Win Health Centre (SLMHC) Foundation is excited to announce that, as of today, the MRI Fundraising Campaign is officially under way.

SLMHC will receive base funding from Ontario Health North West to support the operation of a new Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Scanner. SLMHC is responsible for all capital costs associated with construction to house the new MRI Scanner, as well as the MRI itself. The cost is estimated around seven-million dollars. The SLMHC Foundation says this fundraising campaign will directly support the capital costs associated with the new MRI Scanner.

“The SLMHC Foundation Board is extremely excited about this great news” says Christine Hoey, SLMHC Foundation President. “We want to have the MRI operational as soon as possible, so we will be reaching out to the community and all the areas we service to help us reach our goal. If you have any questions, or would like to donate, please contact the Foundation office at 807-737-7997.”

Currently, $1.5 million dollars is accessible for the project, leaving the required amount to fulfill the endeavor at an estimated amount of $5.5 million to be raised.

SLMHC serves approximately 30,000 residents across a geographical area of approximately 385,000 square km. This project however, will also service a secondary catchment area of surrounding communities containing an approximate 10, 673 residents, bringing the total population that will benefit from these services locally to over 40,600. Currently, patients endure wait times and required travel for MRI scans in both Thunder Bay and Winnipeg. An MRI unit at SLMHC will improve access to health care service for our patients, and it will reduce wait times as patients look to access MRI scans.

“Members of Sioux Lookout and surrounding communities face numerous barriers when trying to access equitable health care in Canada. By obtaining an MRI scanner at SLMHC, we minimize some of these barriers, such as improving access to specialized and essential imaging services, reducing financial burden to travel, and reducing the distances for clients to travel. At SLMHC, we acknowledge the relationship of the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual aspects of a person contributing to their whole-self being in a state of complete wellness. Close to home access to MRI could mean less stress, uncertainty and hardship on families when accessing health care, and possibly improving the health outcomes of our community and the surrounding areas,” says Arianna Kitching, SLMHC Diagnostic Imaging Manager.

“Having an MRI in Sioux Lookout is another important step forward in providing services closer to home for our patients, which also includes culturally-appropriate care and interpreter services. Having an MRI on-site will also, in-turn, help with recruitment and retention of physicians. Having the ability to provide this service enhances both the patient and physician experience at SLMHC,” says Dean Osmond, SLMHC President and Chief Executive Officer.

Since its inception, the SLMHC Foundation has raised over five-million dollars to provide funding for medical equipment, education, special treatment programs and capital building funds for SLMHC. For more information or to donate today, visit slmhc.on.ca/foundation or contact Donor Relations/Operations Coordinator, Melissa Slade at 807-737-7997 or by email at foundation@slmhc.on.ca.