North York hospital opens imaging centre

[attach]3145[/attach]After facing exile in his home country of Uganda, Pyarali Nanji found security, shelter and opportunity in Canada.

As a ‘thank you’ to his adopted country and North York community, the self-made businessman made a contribution that will ultimately provide better care to hundreds of thousands of people who visit North York General Hospital.

On Dec. 2 Nanji and his wife helped unveil the Gulshan and Pyarali G. Nanji Ultrasound, CT and Radiography Centre at a ribbon-cutting ceremony.

Thanks to his family’s donation, the centre was completely overhauled with updated technologies like CT scanners and state-of-the-art radiology and ultrasound equipment, new offices for the doctors and a new layout of the medical imaging department.

A multitude of speakers graciously thanked the namesakes of the new centre, for their “huge contribution” that helped see the centre come to fruition.

The dollar amount of the donation was not revealed, however hospital officials said with the previous donations, the Nanjis are one of the largest contributors in the hospital’s history.

“Your support and understanding of the value of helping us to help others is a huge credit to you and your community,” chief radiologist and medical director Dr. Elizabeth LaMere said. “We all strive to provide our patients with the best care and it means so much to us that this meant something to you.”

“I thank you very much for your support – we needed you, and you recognized that,” she added in closing.

[attach]3146[/attach]At the podium, Pyarali Nanji spoke of the opportunity he found in Canada, a country he said welcomed him with open arms.

“I feel that it is our duty to give back to the country that has given me so much,” said Nanji, CEO of Belle-Pak Packaging.

The hospital estimates the new space will see more than 220,000 patients.

“Canada is one of the very few countries in the world that gives free medical services to each and every citizen without any discrimination,” said Nanji, who moved to Canada in the early 1970s.

“As a donor, it really pleases me very much to know that our contribution is making a difference, especially to those who need it the most.”

MP Yasmin Ratansi thanked the couple and their family in parliament back on Nov. 22. She recited the same speech she gave to parliament at the hospital, and presented a printed version of the speech to the Nanji family.

“On behalf of the hospital, patients and families, I would like to sincerely thank Gulshan and Pyarali Nanji and their family for their generosity,” she said. “This is an exceptional legacy for which we are all grateful. They represent the best of the Canadian spirit and I thank them.”