Actual Computer Generated Image of the MRI and digtal imaging space at the new regional hospital - Photo courtesy MJHF

As momentum builds to the opening of Moose Jaw's new regional hospital next year, a major announcement in relation to the new facility made headlines earlier this year and became our number two story of the year: Saskatchewan's first rural MRI machine will be coming to Moose Jaw's new hospital.

At the end of May, the announcement was made that by 2016, the first rural MRI machine in the province would be housed at the new regional hospital in Moose Jaw.  The provincial government committed to covering the operating cost of the new machine, but the Moose Jaw Health Foundation would be responsible for spending the 3.3 million dollars the MRI suite would cost.  

Just weeks earlier, an ambitious capital campaign was launched by the health foundation.

"Over the next 24 months, our campaign will raise over eight-million dollars," announced Moose Jaw Health Foundation Board Chair Dave Reidy at a media conference in April. "These funds will go towards funding diagnostic imaging, pediatrics, surgery, the universal care unit, dialysis, and much more."

The official announcement for the MRI suite was made May 30, where it was revealed the cost of the MRI equipment, 3.3 million dollars, would be covered by funds raised by the Moose Jaw Health Foundation.  The provincial government will cover ongoing operating costs associated with the MRI.

The Magnetic Resonance Imager has a wide range of uses, from detecting cancer in almost any part of the body, recognizing heart and blood vessel diseases, to joing and muscle disorders.

The capital equipment campaign has been successful in its first seven months, with close to 2.25 million dollars raised so far. Over $688-thousand of that was raised with 800 CHAB's 8th annual Family First Radiothon in May. 

Money has come from all parts of the Five Hills Health Region, and beyond.  Earlier this month, the town of Assiniboia contributed 50-thousand dollars to the capital campaign, to be used specifically towards the MRI suite.  "When they (MJHF) were looking for support, the municipilaties said that if there was an MRI going into the hospital, we would come forth with some more money." says Bob Himbeault, Mayor of Assiniboia. "When they announced that they were putting in an MRI, we felt that it was only right to do something."

There are currently five MRI machines in Saskatchewan - two in Regina and three in Saskatoon.  There is also a MRI in Lloydminster, which is owned by the province of Alberta, but is available to Saskatchewan residents one out of every five weeks.