HUMBOLDT 鈥� A fundraising effort for a $20,000 surgical microscope used to insert tubes into the ears of child patients has been launched by the Humboldt District Hospital Foundation.
鈥淩ight now, peds [pediatric patients] are having to travel to larger centers to have the service done, so we have an opportunity to reduce a lot of travel for families by offering it here,鈥� said Lorrie Bunko, the foundation鈥檚 executive director.
Dr. Peter Spafford, a specialist that can deal with issues of the ears, nose and throat, would be able to do the procedure while he鈥檚 working in Humboldt if there was an OPMI Pico Surgical Microscope at the local hospital.
Bunko said she鈥檚 been told the estimated demand for the procedure is three to four times a month 鈥� with potential for that to grow. She added that even if it was used by three or four families a month, the savings from not having to travel to a larger centre would add up fast.
鈥淲hen you think of the time away from work, gas, meals, all that kind of stuff, it quickly adds up for families.鈥�
Bunko said it鈥檚 not the first time they raised money for equipment that allows Dr. Spafford to do procedures in Humboldt.
鈥淲e've already funded some other equipment for him: another different type of scope, that has already reduced a lot of travel for his patients going to Saskatoon.鈥�
The executive director said donations of any amount would be greatly appreciated.
鈥淲e know that there are a lot of families that are traveling to larger centers, and we are all about providing exceptional health care close to home. We couldn't do it without the support of donors.
