UM research project to improve kidney health in remote communities wins funding from TD Bank

University of Manitoba researchers have received $1 million in funding to deliver innovative health care solutions to some of Manitoba’s Indigenous communities. UM is one of the 10 recipients selected from 378 applicants to the 2019 TD Ready Challenge presented by TD Bank Group. The winners were announced today, Dec. 3.

This funding will expand the University of Manitoba’s Kidney Check program. Previously introduced in five provinces in partnership with Indigenous communities and researchers, the program brings portable, point-of-care equipment to remote locations to provide kidney, diabetes and blood pressure checks. Early screening enables researchers to predict the health risk of individual patients and provide appropriate, immediate care and intervention to prevent or delay kidney failure and the need for dialysis.

“We will be able to substantially increase the number of patients we are able to serve,” says Dr. Paul Komenda, an associate professor in the Max Rady College of Medicine, and research director at the Chronic Disease Innovation Centre. “Our program currently serves 1,300 Indigenous people in four communities in Manitoba. With this funding, the program will now support up to 3,000 additional individuals in six Manitoba First Nations communities.” 

Acting as a springboard for social innovation, TD established the TD Ready Challenge to identify and support scalable solutions to a specific issue identified within the drivers of The Ready Commitment. In total, TD awarded $10 million (CDN) for the 2019 Challenge.

“The University of Manitoba has brought forward a creative and scalable solution to help increase equitable health outcomes for underserved and remote communities,” said Andrea Barrack, Global Head, Sustainability and Corporate Citizenship, TD Bank Group. “Being a winner of the TD Ready Challenge is a testament to the skill, ingenuity, and vision of its creators, as well as their dedication to improving the health of their communities and opening doors to a more inclusive tomorrow.”

Representatives and patient partners from the University of Manitoba are available to discuss the project and how patients will benefit from the service, while a TD spokesperson can speak to why the bank selected preventative health as its focus for the 2019 TD Ready Challenge.

UM Today Staff