Home / Health / Indigenous Clinic Boosts MRI Capacity in Saskatoon
Indigenous Clinic Boosts MRI Capacity in Saskatoon
15 Oct
Summary
- A new MRI machine was added to an Indigenous-owned clinic.
- The expansion aims to reduce patient wait times.
- The clinic is the only 100% Indigenous-owned imaging facility in Canada.
A significant expansion at the National Diagnostic Imaging Clinic in Saskatoon has introduced a new 1.5T MRI machine, enhancing diagnostic capabilities for residents. This facility, established in 2020, holds the distinction of being Canada's sole imaging clinic owned entirely by Indigenous communities, a collaboration between James Smith Cree Nation, Chakastaypasin Band of the Cree Nation, and the Peter Chapman Band.
The addition of this second MRI scanner is poised to alleviate lengthy patient wait times and accommodate a greater number of specialized examinations required by the Saskatchewan Health Authority. This expansion represents a powerful example of First Nations cooperation, providing essential services to both Indigenous peoples and the broader community.
Funded through a combination of Indigenous Services Canada contributions totaling just over $930,000 and investment from the shareholder First Nations and the clinic itself, the $3.4 million project also targets an increase in bone density testing services. Future plans include extending these services to Regina next year.
Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill highlighted that increased capacity directly translates to shorter wait times and faster clinical decisions, ultimately enabling patients to receive necessary care more promptly. The clinic's growth is a crucial step in supporting Saskatchewan's 2028 objective of completing 90 percent of diagnostic scans within 90 days, addressing current wait times which average 100 days in Saskatoon and approximately 300 days in Regina.
