A first-of-its-kind mobile lung testing van is now helping central Albertans access free pulmonary function testing in their own communities.
The Lung Health Check is a mobile health clinic that travels to rural and remote areas of Alberta, offering pulmonary function tests without the need to travel long distances.
Organizers say one in five Albertans will be diagnosed with a chronic lung condition in their lifetime. They add that early detection and ongoing care can improve health outcomes.
“Many people in rural and remote areas face limited options for care — this mobile unit helps level the playing field by bringing equitable access to communities across the province,” said Theresa Tang, CEO and co-founder of Praxus Health.
Theresa Tang speaks at the launch as Health Minister Adriana LaGrange (left) listens.The van launched earlier today in Lacombe, with Alberta Health Minister Adriana LaGrange on hand for a tour.
“These mobile units bring vital lung health services closer to home,” LaGrange said. “They’re non-invasive, free, and staffed by qualified nurses, technicians, and respiratory therapists. Test results go directly to patients’ primary care providers, making care faster and easier, especially for those outside urban centres.”
Health Minister Adriana LaGrange speaks at the launch of Lung Health Check.Lacombe resident Tamara Benson, who has travelled to Edmonton for more than a decade to access care for her daughter, said the service will make a big difference.
“It makes a huge difference having this van as an option,” she said. “It means less time away from work and more opportunity for people in rural areas, where Central Alberta doesn’t really offer a whole lot of assistance when it comes to pediatrics.”
Tamara Benson (right) with her daughter.The program is coordinated by Praxus Health in partnership with Aceso Medical, with funding support from the Government of Alberta and AstraZeneca Canada.
More information is available on the Lung Health Check website.
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