QUEBEC CITY, Nov. 23 2007 – Healthcare in Quebec City received a huge boost today with the announcement by Manulife Financial of a $250,000 gift to Hôpital Laval to help them purchase a new state-of-the-art CT scanner, the first of its kind in Eastern Canada.
According to Dr. Santiago Miro, a radiologist in Hôpital Laval’s medical imaging department, “the Siemens Definition CT scanner purchased by Hôpital Laval uses a brand new technology that differentiates itself from conventional multi-detector CT technology. While other manufacturers are still opting to increase the number of detectors, Siemens has opted instead for a quicker acquisition by integrating two sources in the same apparatus. It is this simultaneous use of the two sources that allows technicians to obtain an image in half the time required by a conventional CT scanner. This is of major importance when you want to achieve a cardiac image without having to slow the heart.
“The technology is revolutionary in that it allows tissues to be isolated owing to their differing response to the two types of energy. These new applications open yet-to-be-explored radiology horizons and will have incredible benefits in terms of the quality of care offered to all our patients,” said Dr. Miro during the press briefing.
According to Paul Rooney, President and CEO of Manulife Canada: “Manulife supports many hospital projects across the country and the need for this technology upgrade is in line with a definite trend we’re seeing, as many hospitals adopt new technologies to improve patient care.”
“Manulife is pleased to support the mission and values of Hôpital Laval in its efforts to improve the human side and the quality of the care and services offered to its patients,” said Cyril Bendahan, Regional Vice President, Group Benefits, Quebec Region, in attendance at the announcement of the donation. Hôpital Laval’s new CT scanner has been operational for several days.
About Hôpital Laval
Founded in 1918, Hôpital Laval is a heart and lung institute affiliated with Université Laval. Its mission is to provide the population of Central and Eastern Quebec with specialized and superspecialized care and services in cardiology, pneumology and obesity surgery, and the local population with general and specialized care and services. The hospital’s mission is also to carry out teaching and research activities in addition to assessing health technologies and methods of health intervention.
About Manulife Financial
Manulife Financial is a leading Canadian-based financial services group serving millions of customers in 19 countries and territories worldwide. Operating as Manulife Financial in Canada and Asia, and primarily through John Hancock in the United States, the Company offers clients a diverse range of financial protection products and wealth management services through its extensive network of employees, agents and distribution partners. Funds under management by Manulife Financial and its subsidiaries were Cdn$399 billion (US$400.5 billion) as at September 30, 2007.
Manulife Financial is one of only two publicly traded life insurance companies with ‘AAA’-rated insurance subsidiaries, the highest rating for financial strength at Standard & Poor’s Rating Services.
Manulife Financial Corporation trades as ‘MFC’ on the TSX, NYSE and PSE, and under ‘0945’ on the SEHK. Manulife Financial can be found on the Internet at www.manulife.com.
Tags: Manulife, Québec
