Fraser Health has announced the opening of a new interventional radiology suite at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre.
They stated in a press release that the suite features advanced imaging technology that helps clinical teams see inside the body in greater detail, supporting more precise, minimally invasive care. Fraser Health added that patients can now receive complex procedures locally, reducing the need to travel and helping them stay closer to their families and support networks during treatment.
“This new interventional radiology suite brings advanced, specialized care closer to home, helping patients avoid unnecessary stress, long travel, and delays when they need treatment,” said Josie Osborne the minister of health. “As the Fraser Valley grows, the province is strengthening the healthcare system so people can access the timely, high‑quality care they deserve.”
Fraser Health shared that clinical teams can now perform a wider range of complex procedures, including treatments that help manage conditions affecting quality of life. For example, a procedure called prostatic artery embolization reduces blood flow to the prostate, helping men manage a common condition that causes urinary tract symptoms.
The suite also supports intravascular ultrasound, which allows clinicians to see inside artery walls, assess plaque buildup and better perform vascular procedures.
“The new equipment has much higher resolution, allowing imaging teams to treat small areas and vessels which were not visible on older equipment,” stated Dr. Amarjit Bajwa the radiology department head in Abbotsford and Mission. “This opens the door for us to offer a wider range of interventional services, including prostate and gynaecological treatments.”
Interventional radiology is a rapidly evolving area of medicine where care teams use technology to guide needles, wires and catheters into small incisions in the skin and through blood vessels to treat a range of conditions including urologic, gynecologic, dialysis, abdominal, and musculoskeletal conditions. These approaches are often less invasive, can reduce recovery times and improve patient experience. Interventional radiology is also used in emergency settings to treat life-threatening embolisms and internal bleeding.
The modernization project, which included renovations and new equipment, cost $6 million, with $3 million provided by the provincial government, $2 million funded by the Fraser Valley Regional Hospital District, and $1 million from generous donors to the Fraser Valley Health Care Foundation.
“The FVHCF is deeply grateful to the James and Pamela Braun Family for their generous $1 million contribution toward the upgrade of the interventional radiology suite at Abbotsford Regional Hospital,” stated Liz Harris, the FVHCF executive Director. “Leadership gifts like this have a profound impact on patient care and help ensure our community has access to leading-edge technology, close to home.”
Original source: ca