The B.C. government has made an official, financial commitment to purchase a CT scanner for Kitimat General Hospital and to renovate the facility to accommodate the new equipment. This $4.7 million project aims to enhance healthcare services in Kitimat, reducing the need for patients to travel for advanced diagnostic imaging.
The Kitimat Hospital Foundation has contributed $2.4 million, raised through community donations, including contributions from LNG Canada, the Max Lange Foundation, the First West Foundation, the District of Kitimat, and other local supporters. The district committed $800,000, provided over two years,
“The acquisition of a new CT scanner for Kitimat General Hospital is a transformative milestone for our community,” said Laurel D’Andrea, president of the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation. “Thanks to the extraordinary support from our donors, we are advancing towards providing critical diagnostic services locally. This investment not only enhances patient care but also strengthens our ability to retain healthcare professionals and attract new talent.”
Kitimat Mayor Phil Germuth emphasized the scanner’s potential to improve local healthcare delivery, saying, “This CT scanner means we can more quickly address and identify health concerns for Kitimat residents right here, without requiring transport to other hospitals and towns.”
The new CT scanner will allow physicians to make faster and more accurate diagnoses for conditions such as trauma, stroke, and cancer. Colleen Nyce, chair of the Northern Health Board of Governors, also highlighted the importance of having the scanner on-site, noting that it will help patients receive the diagnostic care they need closer to home.
The fundraising effort received significant boosts last year when the Max Lange Foundation pledged $500,000, and LNG Canada added $900,000, with the condition that the CT scanner must be installed and operational within 18 months. KGHF held off on signing that contract until the province's financial commitment came through, allowing for adequate time to complete the project ahead of the deadline.
Currently, the project is in the planning phase, which includes designing and renovating the scan room, installing the machine, and training staff. While the scanner will be available for urgent and semi-urgent diagnostic needs during the training period, full services are expected to begin by 2026.
“With meaningful community partnerships, people in Kitimat will be able to get the scans they need faster and closer to home,” said B.C. Health Minister Adrian Dix. “Adding a new CT scanner at the Kitimat General Hospital is part of the actions our government is taking to expand health services and ensure patients have access to necessary and life-saving care.”
In addition to improving patient care, the new CT scanner is expected to support physician recruitment and retention, provide training opportunities for staff and students, and reduce the need for patient transfers to other facilities for urgent CT scans.
