The Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust recently handed over a brand-new mini probe to the hospital, providing the facility’s paediatric team with an important advanced diagnostic tool for the investigation and management of respiratory conditions in neonates – newborn babies in their first 28 days – and children.
The equipment, a UM-S20-17S EBUS Mini Probe, was handed over on Friday 11 September.
Approximately 450 paediatric bronchoscopy procedures are performed at the hospital each year, with around 25% being interventional procedures, said Louise Theron, chief executive of the trust, adding that bronchoscopy is an important diagnostic and therapeutic tool in paediatric medicine, particularly in the investigation and management of diseases affecting the respiratory tract.
The new EBUS Mini Probe will significantly enhance the diagnostic capabilities of the paediatric pulmonology department. Its high-resolution endobronchial ultrasound technology provides real-time imaging of structures surrounding the airways, allowing medical specialists to investigate conditions with greater precision, she said.
Importantly, the probe’s very small calibre makes it particularly suitable for infants and young children, for whom conventional ultrasound probes may be too large.
“Early and precise diagnosis can improve clinical decision-making, reduce procedure-related risks and lessen the need for more invasive procedures,” said prof Goussard, head of the Paediatric Pulmonology Department.
The probe also enables more targeted sampling and improved localisation of lesions, supporting safer bronchoscopy in critically ill children. This has the potential to improve treatment outcomes while making more efficient use of valuable hospital resources.
Investing in expertise as well as equipment
Beyond its immediate clinical application, the EBUS Mini Probe will also contribute to capacity building and sustainable paediatric care at Tygerberg Hospital, said Theron.
The equipment provides an important training opportunity, helping to develop and strengthen local expertise in advanced paediatric bronchoscopy and endobronchial ultrasound techniques. Building this expertise within the public healthcare system is an important part of creating sustainable, high-quality care for children.
Goussard describes the equipment as a high-impact investment that will immediately enhance clinical outcomes, patient safety and diagnostic precision for children in the hospital setting.
A partnership making a difference
The Tygerberg Hospital Children’s Trust facilitates funding and resources for identified needs within the hospital’s neonatal and paediatric services. The handover of the EBUS Mini Probe demonstrates the tangible impact that partnerships between healthcare professionals, donors and the trust can have on specialised paediatric care, explained Theron.
“Every piece of specialised equipment represents an investment in a child’s care and in the medical teams who care for them,” said Theron. “We are deeply grateful to everyone who made this equipment possible. By supporting the hospital’s critical needs, we are helping medical professionals access the tools they need to diagnose and treat children with greater precision.”
The trust remains committed to supporting the hospital’s paediatric and neonatal teams with the equipment, technology and resources needed to provide quality care to children and their families, Theron concluded.
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