$30M for two MRI machines at Kelowna General Hospital

Two new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machines are coming to Kelowna General Hospital.

One will replace the existing machine and another one will be added.

“The machines bring new capacity to the region, increasing the number of MRI scans done at KGH from approximately 7,000 to 15,000 per year,” says a Ministry of Health news release issued today, April 20. “It will also reduce the length of the scan, meaning shorter turnaround between patients, as well as higher-quality images.”

The machines have the ability diagnose complex conditions, such as neurological disease, certain heart diseases and prostate cancer.

The total cost is $30.7 million with $15.4 million coming from the province, $10.3 million from the Central Okanagan Regional Hospital District and $5 million from the KGH Foundation.

Construction for the expanded service will start this summer and be completed in 2025.

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