Accessing liver care in Saskatoon and in surrounding communities is becoming easier after a $300,000 investment from the Dakota Dunes Community Development Corporation.

The investment will go towards FibroScan equipment at the Royal University Hospital. FibroScan equipment is portable, only takes about 5 minutes to use, and can produce results on the same day. The equipment can detect scarring and fat build up in the liver using sound waves.

The equipment will be used to make a pilot program between the seven member First Nations of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and the RUH.

Shirley Greyeyes, Director of DDCDC, says liver disease usually won’t show any symptoms until damage has already been done.

“One in four Canadians have chronic liver disease and it’s not something you can just know about and just go and ask to be tested for.”

The RUH sent an application for $250,000 in funding 2 years ago, but because of the long process the DDCDC provided an additional $50,000.