- Equipment worth $87 000 USD (140 940 000 TZS) donated to Tanzanian hospital
- Equipment allows pregnant women in rural Tanzania access to ultrasound services
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania: GE (NYSE: GE): GE Africa Healthymagination has donated handheld ultrasound devices and related equipment worth $87 000 USD (140 940 000 TZS) to the Kisarawe District Hospital in Kisarawe, in the Pwani District of Tanzania, providing pregnant women in rural areas with access to free ultrasound services.
GE Africa Healthymagination provided training for medical professionals at the hospital who will now use the 5 Vscan and 2 Venue 40 devices to provide ultrasound services to pregnant women. The handheld ultrasound devices, which are connected to purpose-built solar chargers, are used to diagnose conditions related to pregnancy complications that result in maternal and infant death.
With the use of the donated equipment and through the training program, staff at the Kisarawe hospital will be able to identify ''high-risk pregnancies that can be referred to appropriate health centres where better care can be provided by skilled birth attendants," says Janeen Uzzell, Director Healthcare Programs, Africa Healthymagination.
The training program formed part of a research study by GE and Ifakara Health Institute, called 'Enhancing Training and Appropriate Technologies for Mothers & Babies in Africa'. The study will measure the acceptability, feasibility, impact and cost-effectiveness of introducing simple ultrasound technologies on maternal health.
The World Bank estimates that 74% of maternal deaths could be averted if all women had access to interventions that address complications of pregnancy and childbirth. Lack of technology, including ultrasound, and skilled manpower shortages have been among the reasons that healthcare lags in Africa.
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Media Contacts:
Thulisile Phiri
Communications Manager – Southern Africa
GE Corporate Africa Tel: +27.11.237.0019 M: +27.79.885.0530 thulisile.phiri@ge.com
