New Brunswick's Miramichi Regional Hospital is the recipient of a new magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) machine.

MRIs can be used to image brain tumours, diagnose strokes and assess cartilage damage and cardiac issues, as well as to evaluate and diagnose an array of other indications and diseases.

"This is good news for our patients in the Miramichi area," said John McGarry, president and CEO of Horizon Health Network. "This investment will provide our physicians and staff with the equipment they need to improve specialized patient care in this community."

"I am pleased that the Department of Health was able to provide $3.3 million for this project, which is part of the provincial government's efforts to install new MRIs at six regional hospitals," said Health Minister Hugh Flemming. "This state-of-the-art 1.5 T MRI will benefit all patients who require MRI services at the Miramichi Regional Hospital."

The project is part of a $16.4-million plan to install MRI machines at the Saint John Regional Hospital, the Moncton Hospital, the Edmundston Regional Hospital, the Miramichi Regional Hospital, the Chaleur Regional Hospital in Bathurst, N.B. and the Dr. Georges-L.-Dumont University Hospital Centre in Moncton, N.B.

"These strategic infrastructure investments allow for key services to be delivered to improve our health-care system in each region and enhance quality of life for New Brunswickers," said New Brunswick transportation and infrastructure minister Claude Williams.