After a year of construction, the new $14-million Regional Renal Program has opened in Windsor.
Located in the Bell building at 1147 Goyeau Ave next to the Ouellette Campus, the program will house 30 dialysis stations.
The program offered a sneak peak into the building today which will officially open to patients May 8th.
The space offers a more comfortable environment with high ceilings, large windows and more space for families.
Dialysis patients must visit the centre multiple times a week and some treatments last 3-4 hours at a time.
Patricia Bajusz was a caregiver for her late husband who was on dialysis. She says the centre will improve the program and treatment.
"It is bright," she says. "The area is much more conducive to wellness and mental wellness and it is hard enough for a dialysis patient to sit 3-4 hours maybe three to four days a week here."
A dialysis station at 1147 Goyeau Ave. April 2017 (Photo by Teresinha Medeiros)
In the past five years, the program has grown 45% serving more than 400 patients.
Renal kidney dialysis involves eliminating waste from the blood due to lost kidney function.
In total, there will be 50 dialysis stations throughout Windsor and Essex County.