Maternity and neonatal facilities and technology are particularly lacking and Medscheme, the medical scheme administrator, has donated a state-of-the-art portable ultrasound scanner to the Natalspruit Hospital in Katlehong near Johannesburg.
The unit will be used to perform a wide variety of ultrasound examinations to monitor pregnancies, detect anomalies, monitor foetal growth and diagnose complications during delivery.
"The National Department of Health has specifically prioritised the need to reduce the mortality rate of mothers and infants in hospitals and as a healthcare company, we believe we have a responsibility to support the hospital," said Medscheme CEO André Meyer. He stressed the importance of strengthening partnerships between the public and private health sectors to ensure high quality health services in the country.
The handover ceremony was attended by the Deputy Minister of Heath, Dr Gwen Malegwale Ramokgopa, who said that the handover of this piece of equipment will assist in improving working conditions for staff in this hospital as well as health outcomes for mothers and babies. "As government we are grateful to Medscheme for coming into this partnership with us to ensure a long and healthy life for all the citizens of this country."
Medscheme supports a number of healthcare related projects across the country, including the upgrading of nursing schools and facilities with public sector hospitals.
