Residents of Kitimat and area will benefit from better access to diagnostic imaging services as staff at Kitimat General Hospital get ready to welcome the first patients who will use the brand-new CT scanner on April 9, 2026.
“For people living in Kitimat and the surrounding area, accessing diagnostic services often means long drives or ambulance transfers in urgent cases,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “The new CT scanner in Kitimat provides much more timely access to advanced medical imaging, so people can get the care they need closer to home and health-care providers can diagnose and treat patients faster.”
This project represents a $4.7 million capital investment into improving healthcare in Kitimat and has been generously funded through community partners. The Kitimat Hospital Foundation has contributed $2.4 million through community donors including LNG Canda, the Max Lange Foundation, the First West Foundation, the District of Kitimat, and many members of the community. The North West Regional Hospital District has likewise contributed $1.88 million.
“This achievement truly belongs to the entire community, which stepped up in a remarkable way,” said Laurel D’Andrea, President of the Kitimat General Hospital Foundation. “Their generosity and commitment demonstrate that when KGHF calls for support, this community responds. Together, we have accomplished something transformative—an investment in the health and future of our region.”
This project brings a newly renovated department and CT scanner to Kitimat and will allow the hospital to deliver a range of clinical and diagnostic services closer to home that support primary, community and specialized services.
“When we talk about improving health care in the North, this is what it looks like. It looks like partnership. It looks like collaboration. It looks like people coming together – local leaders, health-care teams, community members, and regional partners – all working toward a healthier future,” said Colleen Nyce, Northern Health Board Chair. “This scanner will bring improved care to the people of Kitimat for many years to come.”
The new CT scanner in Kitimat will provide staff with a broader scope of practice, increase opportunities for student training, and will support recruitment and retention. It will also provide physicians with the information to diagnose and treat patients sooner and reduce the reliance on ambulance transfers for urgent CT’s which will improve local BCEHS coverage.
“The North West Regional Hospital District supports having up to date medical imaging equipment like the CT scanner in Kitimat in our communities,” said Barry Pages, Chair of the North West Regional Hospital District. “This new, modern imaging technology means residents of Kitimat can get services in their community and don't have to travel to Terrace. The new CT scanner will save time, reduce travel, and lead to faster access to diagnosis and treatment.”