A brand-new MRI machine was unveiled in Saskatoon this week, marking a significant development for the city. The machine is housed within a facility that was established in 2020 and stands out as the sole imaging clinic in Canada that is entirely owned by Indigenous communities from Saskatchewan. Specifically, it is jointly owned by three First Nations groups in the province.
The National Diagnostic Imaging Clinic, which was inaugurated in 2020, has now been enhanced with the addition of a 1.5T MRI machine. The primary aim of this expansion is to boost the clinic’s imaging capabilities and services.
During the machine’s unveiling ceremony, Chief Kirby Constant of James Smith Cree Nation expressed pride in the collaboration among nations, emphasizing the importance of unity in achieving shared goals. He highlighted that the clinic’s services not only cater to First Nation individuals but also benefit the wider community.
Funding for the expansion came from various sources, with Indigenous Services Canada contributing over $930,000 towards the project. The remainder of the $3.4 million required for the expansion was sourced from the participating nations and the clinic itself. Part of the funds will be allocated to enhancing bone density testing services, with plans to extend these services to Regina in the coming year.
The addition of the new MRI machine is expected to reduce patient wait times and facilitate the provision of specialized examinations as requested by the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill emphasized the significance of increased capacity in enhancing patient care and clinical decision-making.
Robert Head, the Band Chief for the Peter Chapman Band, emphasized the life-saving potential of the clinic’s services, noting the positive impact of early diagnoses on patient outcomes. With the introduction of the second MRI scanner, workload distribution between the machines is expected to improve.
As part of the clinic’s efforts to extend its services, a medical radiation technologist will be stationed in Sandy Bay for 18 days annually. The province of Saskatchewan has seen a notable rise in the number of CT and MRI scans conducted in recent years, with the aim of completing 90% of diagnostic scans within 90 days by 2028. In 2024, the average wait time for an MRI in Saskatoon was 100 days, compared to approximately 300 days in Regina.
