Nunavut Health installing digital diagnostics in regional hubs

Nunavut health minister Paul Okalik said March 9 that his department is following through on plans to upgrade medical diagnostic equipment throughout the territory. Major improvements started in February 2013 with the installation of this CT scanner at Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit. (PHOTO BY PETER VARGA)

Nunavut’s department of health will replace “outdated” diagnostic X-ray equipment with digital units at health centres in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet this fall, territorial health minister Paul Okalik announced in the legislative assembly, March 9.

The new equipment will allow community health centres to transmit images to radiologists electronically and also to assess patients “within 24 hours,” Okalik said.

“Improving diagnostic services within our communities will greatly improve the chances of a positive outcome (for patients) through early detection and treatment,” Okalik said in his member’s statement.

“The modernization of our health care equipment is ongoing and will better equip our centres to provide timely and efficient services to our clients,” he said, “and in many cases, eliminate the stress of having to travel out of the territory for diagnostic services.”

The upgrades follow the installation of a CT scanner at Qikiqtani General Hospital in Iqaluit last year, which allowed the department of health to “provide same-day diagnostics and save on medical travel costs,” Okalik said.

With Iqaluit’s CT scanner, doctors can diagnose more complicated injuries and serious health conditions such as cancers and strokes, which could save patients from having to make time-consuming and costly trips to hospitals in the south.

Upgraded equipment slated for health facilities in Cambridge Bay and Rankin Inlet will help do the same for patients in the Kitikmeot and Kivalliq regions. Okalik said health centres in other communities will also receive digital X-ray units next year.

During question period, Baker Lake MLA Simeon Mikkungwak relayed concern about one of his constituents, who is battling cancer in a southern facility, and struggling to cover travel and other costs.

“Despite being repeatedly told by nurses at the local health centre that she simply has a virus, my constituent went south to get the appropriate treatment, and now has to stay there to be close to the necessary services,” the MLA said.

Okalik asked Mikkungwak to give him details of the case confidentially, for follow-up.

“We will be continuing to look for ways to improve our diagnostic tools throughout our territory so that we catch the ailments earlier, and treat them earlier,” Okalik said.