Healthcare services in the Northwest will take another step forward with help from the Prince Rupert Port Authority鈥檚 (PRPA) Community Investment Fund.

Advanced surgical rhinology services will soon be available to northwestern B.C. patients for the first time following a $51,000 donation from PRPA to the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation to supplement funds garnered by the foundation from other donors.

The combined money has been used to purchase a new Scopis Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) navigation system from Stryker for Mills Memorial Hospital in Terrace. The new imaging system offers electromagnetic technology for high-definition guidance during complex sinus and skull-based surgeries.

鈥淭his investment will help patients as far away as 亚洲天堂 Lake, Dease Lake, Haida Gwaii, Kitimat, Prince Rupert, Smithers, Stewart and Terrace,鈥� the port authority said in a press release last week.

According to the REM Lee Hospital Foundation, up to 60 per cent of rhinology patients require surgery and are usually referred to Vancounver.

鈥淲ith the new ENT equipment, the need to refer to Vancouver will be greatly reduced, potentially saving patients travel time and expenses while keeping them closer to their personal support,鈥� the release stated.

It also noted the upgrade will not require any new surgical instruments as the hospital is otherwise equipped for this type of surgery.

鈥淥n behalf of the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation, we would like to thank the Prince Rupert Port Authority for their ongoing partnership and support for the betterment of healthcare services in the region,鈥� said Chris Mallet, chair of the hospital foundation.

鈥淗aving a state-of-the-art ENT Navigation System will not only allow patients to stay closer to home for treatment but also assist in recruitment of physicians and technicians specializing in Ear, Nose & Throat surgeries.鈥�

This is the second time PRPA has invested in the Terrace hospital, following a contribution of $19,500 towards the Women鈥檚 Wellness Centre and Colposcopy Clinic in 2021.

鈥淏uilding a better medical future here in the Northwest and supporting an improved standard of living for northerners is extremely important,鈥� said Shaun Stevenson, president & CEO of the port authority.

鈥淧RPA is proud to team up with the Dr. REM Lee Hospital Foundation to enhance capabilities in-house and provides patients some relief from having to travel long distances for specialized services.鈥�

The PRPA鈥檚 Community Investment Fund has also contributed $645,000 to the purchase of new medical equipment and other upgrades in Prince Rupert, the largest of which was a $150,000 investment in new beds for the Prince Rupert Regional Hospital.