How the Vscan™ could help revolutionise Ugandas healthcare
One of Uganda's main challenges in development is healthcare. For most, it is unaffordable, but for those who can, the journey, even to the closest hospital, could be perilous.
GE Healthcare equipped Dr. Nicola Mumoli, a physician, researcher and professioner with more than 20 years experience in the field. Dr. Mumoli joined Bhalobasa ONLUS, a non-profits which funds projects, both entrepreneurial and healthcare projects in India, Burkina Faso, Congo, Tanzania, and Uganda, where they visited with the GE Vscan™.
The GE Vscan™ with Dual Probe is a pocket-sized Ultrasound machine. Dr. Mumoil and seven Bhalobasa volunteers such as doctors, nurses and teachers went to the Ugandan capital of Kampala and surround towns to teach children about healthy habits and to train nurses and clinicians in local hospitals.
At the city's main hospital, the team was struck by the influx of foreign doctors, outdated machinery and lack of resources. “The local medical community was eager to learn about general imaging, in particular to scan the bladder, abdomen and chest. They have many medical problems in their community and often no solutions,” said Dr. Mumoli.
With the one ultrasound console, the team scanned more than 120 patients, as well as teaching local nurse and clinicians how to use the machine for general scans.
“With Vscan with Dual Probe, we were able to give patients immediate diagnosis and care,” said Dr. Mumoli. “The device’s portability allowed us to scan these patients both in a clinical setting and also in more rural settings.”
Dr. Mumoli and the team of volunteers spent time with children who had lost their parents to various diseases and were living in tough conditions. “Despite all this, their faces were lit up with happiness and smiles. Their resilience was truly inspiring,” he said.
