1HEALTH/WELLNESS--Government Invests in New Mammography Equipment

---------------------------------------------------------------The Government of Nova Scotia will provide $1.875 million to

purchase new mammography systems and workstations to support high
quality breast screening across the province.
"Early detection saves lives. In countries that offer breast
screening programs, mortality rates are now at the lowest theyve
been since 1950" said Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine.
"This new equipment will be used for breast imaging at seven
locations in the Halifax area, Cape Breton and the Annapolis
Valley.
The new mammography systems are a part of the provincial breast
screening program, which is celebrating their 25th Anniversary
today, Dec. 1.
The equipment will be used for breast imaging at seven locations:
Cobequid Community Health Centre, Dartmouth General Hospital,
Halifax Shopping Centre, IWK Health Centre, Cape Breton Regional
Hospital, Cape Breton managed mobile screening unit and Valley
Regional Hospital.
The total cost of the mammography systems is $2.5 million;
government will contribute $1.875 million, with another $625,000
coming from community fundraising. The equipment will replace
older technology, increasing capacity and reliability.
Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre identified
these projects as priorities. Patients from across the province
will benefit from this new equipment.
"We would like to thank our government and community partners for
making this investment a reality," said Steven DArcy, Chief
Financial Officer for the IWK Health Centre. "The IWK is
committed to providing high quality care for our patients and
this includes having access to the most advanced technology that
improves early detection.
The new equipment will be purchased immediately. Installation
dates will vary.
---------------------------------------------------------------FOR BROADCAST USE:
The province will provide one-point-eight-seven-five

million dollars to purchase new mammography systems and

workstations that support high quality breast screening across
the province.
Health and Wellness Minister Leo Glavine says early
detection saves lives and this new equipment will be used for
breast imaging at seven locations in the Halifax area, Cape
Breton and the Annapolis Valley.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority and the IWK Health Centre
identified this equipment as necessary.
An additional six hundred and twenty-five thousand dollars
will come from donor support at the IWK Foundation.
The new equipment will be purchased immediately.
Installation dates will vary.
-30Media Contact:Brian Taylor
902-424-1750
Cell: 902-220-1727
E-mail: brian.taylor@novascotia.ca