Manitoba's health minister says the province will reimburse home dialysis patients for their extra utility costs.

Sharon Blady says water and electricity bills can add up for patients who are treated at home.

Repayment will be based on utility use during scheduled dialysis and on the type of machine used.

She says home dialysis is still almost nearly 50 per cent less costly than in hospitals.

That's because it reduces the need for hospital space and requires fewer health-care workers.

The reimbursements will be administered by the Manitoba branch of the Kidney Foundation of Canada.

"We hope these new supports will encourage more patients to undergo hemodialysis treatment in the comfort of their own home and enjoy a better quality of life," Blady said in a release Thursday.

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