WINNIPEG -- The Manitoba and federal governments have finalized a health-care agreement that will see new money for home care, mental health services and other programs.
Manitoba is one of the last jurisdictions to sign on to the deal, which was announced by Ottawa in 2017 and aimed at different health services in each province and territory.
The province will receive $182 million over five years for specific areas of health care, such as expanding home care and boosting addictions treatment.
Manitoba Health Minister Cameron Friesen says some of the money will also be used to improve palliative care in rural areas.
The Canadian Institute for Health Information will track progress in the targeted areas to measure improvements.
Friesen says the long negotiations were worth the outcome, and the province is not out any money because of the time that has passed.
"What we have been pleased (with), at where we've arrived, is this recognition that the federal government has made of the robustness in our home care system. It does look different than in some other provinces," Friesen said.
"This will mean more provision of care for nurse-hours in homes, more home-care attendant hours, and in some cases, it will be more dialysis capability for those clients for whom that is a viable service."
