By Sarah Klein
The province and Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba have provided 74 automated external defibrillators (AEDs) to 30 northern Manitoba communities.
Provincial legislation requires public places to have AEDs on site, including in gyms, indoor arenas, certain community centres, golf courses, schools and airports.
“These life-saving medical devices are a direct result of MKO, the province, the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Manitoba and Health Canada coming together to proactively improve health services in our communities,” said MKO Grand Chief David Harper.
“Moving forward, we are able to save lives where historically no life-saving devices existed, ensuring that our loved ones are afforded equal access to life-saving medical devices.”
The province distributed 1,000 AEDs last year at a cost of $1.3 million to non-profit and community-owned facilities. There are currently 2,875 AEDs registered in public places across Manitoba.
