Premier Kicks Off Construction of Renal-health Dialysis Unit in Hodgson
September 9, 2010
HODGSON—This community will be the site of a new, $5-million renal-health dialysis unit, Premier Greg Selinger announced here today at a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the start of construction.“Expanding renal-health services in rural and northern regions is a priority for the province of Manitoba,” said Selinger. “This facility is the next piece of our strategy to improve both the health and quality of life for people with chronic kidney disease across the province by locating this care closer to home for them. I’m glad I could be here today to see it getting underway.”
The six-station renal-health unit will be attached to the Percy E. Moore Hospital and will serve four communities: Fisher River Cree Nation, Peguis First Nation, Jackhead First Nation and the RM of Fisher.
“This is a great day for our communities,” said Jackhead First Nation Chief David Traverse on behalf of the four communities. “We’ve played a big role in this process and we’re very pleased to see the project getting underway because we know this is going to make a difference to the lives of people in our communities.”
The Interlake Regional Health Authority will operate the facility. “With the addition of this unit, the Interlake region will have four separate sites providing renal-health services with a total of 26 dialysis stations,” said Kevin Beresford, Interlake RHA CEO. “Providing this specialized care and potentially life-saving treatment around the region reduces the need for patients to travel or relocate, which eases the challenges of their disease.”
“When identified early, people at risk for kidney disease can be managed through education and non-dialysis care. Kidney disease prevention and renal-health promotion are also important activities and interventions that we will provide to the people of the community,” said Betty Lou Burke, program director for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority Manitoba Renal Program.
“I would personally like to applaud all those, including the many community partners, who have worked together on this project,” added Selinger. “This is a unique collaborative approach that should serve as a model for other initiatives.”
The building will be constructed to surpass the energy-efficiency standard established by the Model National Energy Code and will achieve a Manitoba Hydro Power Smart Building designation. Construction is expected to be completed by October 2011.
In addition, Selinger said the government will increase hospital-based dialysis capacity in Swan River, Thompson and Dauphin to meet the growing need for renal treatment in rural Manitoba. Access to home dialysis will also be expanded in Winnipeg and across the province.
The new resources build on ongoing diabetes prevention efforts including $2.8 million announced in 2008 toward the creation of teams of healthy-living professionals working to prevent chronic disease and promote healthy-living services provided by regional health authorities. The teams provide a range of services as they expand regional diabetes assessment and treatment programs across the province including First Nation and Métis communities.
“By working to reduce the incidence of diabetes, which can result in kidney disease, while we also promote good renal health, we are minimizing the need for dialysis,” said Selinger. “Our efforts are aimed at helping Manitobans to help themselves to prevent chronic illnesses and improve their quality of life.”
Manitoba’s Chronic Disease Prevention Initiative supports communities as they develop programs to address the chronic-disease risk factors that affect their communities. The initiative recently received a National Tommy Douglas Celebration of Medicare Award. Eighty-three Manitoba communities take part in the initiative, which is funded by both the federal and provincial governments.
Over the last 10 years, the Manitoba government has been committed to bringing life-sustaining dialysis treatment closer to home with new or expanded dialysis units in Morden/Winkler, The Pas, Portage la Prairie, Garden Hill, Norway House, Swan River and Winnipeg, with new dialysis units currently under construction in Gimli, Peguis and Russell, and one planned for Berens River.
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