The government of Alberta in Canada and Siemens Healthineers have embarked on an eight-year, 800-million-Canadian-dollar ($560 million U.S.) partnership that will begin by upgrading and replacing cancer-specific diagnostic imaging equipment.
The investment involves replacing existing imaging equipment at the end of its life cycle with AI-enabled treatment equipment, according to the Alberta government. In addition, Siemens has committed 175 million Canadian dollars ($122 million U.S.) to establish two centers of excellence.
The Learning Centre of Excellence in Cancer Care will be based at the Arthur J.E. Child Comprehensive Cancer Centre in Calgary. The Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence in Cancer Care will create a cancer-focused AI and machine-learning program, according to Siemens.
As a result of the partnership, Canadian officials expect emergency department visits for oncology-related cases could decrease by 30% and wait times to receive cancer care and treatment by 50%.
In its March 21 statement, Alberta officials recognized that current wait times for diagnostic imaging services are unacceptable and said the province’s 2025 budget includes provisions for the Diagnostic Imaging Enhancements Program.
Siemens Healthineers currently provides 100% of Alberta’s conventional external beam radiation therapy fleet, 50% of Alberta’s simulator fleet, and between 10% and 20% of Alberta’s diagnostic imaging fleet, the government noted. In addition, 65% of Alberta’s current software and equipment in cancer care and diagnostic imaging is past its life cycle.
As part of the partnership, Siemens and the Alberta Cancer Foundation will also each provide funding for a medical research and innovation fund to be managed by the Alberta Cancer Foundation.