Manitoba creating program for adult epilepsy surgery
The Manitoba government is establishing a program that will offer life-changing surgery for adults living with epilepsy.
Health Minister Audrey Gordon announced the program at a news conference on Monday, noting the program and surgeries will run out of the Health Sciences Centre Winnipeg.
“[Today’s announcement] reflects Manitoba’s ongoing efforts to strengthen neurology services,” Gordon said.
The minister said an annual investment of more than $2.5 million in operating funds will help in the establishment of the adult epilepsy program, as well as the expansion of the pediatric program.
She added that once the programs are fully operational, about 50 epilepsy surgeries will be completed each year in the province, including 20 adult surgeries and 30 pediatric.
Dr. Shawn Young, chief operating officer at HSC, said surgery can significantly help improve the lives of those living with epilepsy, and also reduce their ongoing health-care needs.
“The establishment of a comprehensive epilepsy program will advance the level of care available in our province, making it easier for many of these patients to overcome what can be a debilitating condition,” he said.
He added the new program will help the province’s health-care system, as it would mean fewer patient visits to emergency departments and admissions to hospital, as well as less demand for diagnostic scans and a reduced need to send Manitobans out of the province for care.
The Children’s Hospital Foundation of Manitoba is also contributing $1.2 million to the epilepsy program for the purchase of a robotic stereotactic assistance guidance system, known as ROSA.
“The purchase of the ROSA marks an important step forward for safer and less invasive surgery for epilepsy for over 30 children per year,” said Stefano Grande, president and CEO of the Children’s Hospital Foundation.
The adult epilepsy program is expected to start next spring. However, the province still needs to recruit a neurosurgeon.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A beautiful soul': Funeral held for baby boy killed in wrong-way crash on Highway 401
A funeral was held on Wednesday for a three-month-old boy who died after being involved in a wrong-way crash on Highway 401 in Whitby last week.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his brain more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Quebec premier defends new museum on Quebecois nation after Indigenous criticism
Quebec Premier Francois Legault is defending his comments about a new history museum after he was accused by a prominent First Nations group of trying to erase their history.
Blind Sask. boy heading to international braille competition hopes to increase accessibility for visually impaired
A Saskatchewan boy who qualified for an international braille competition in Los Angeles next month hopes he can inspire change in his home province.
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.