The South African Medical and Education Foundation (Same) has donated an ultrasound machine to Wesfleur Hospital. On Tuesday 30 June, Trevor Pols, chairman of the foundation, visited the hospital officially to hand the machine over to Dr Earl Meyer, the hospital’s CEO, and its staff.
“Reports from Italy and China show the massive value of point-of-care ultrasound in making the initial diagnosis of Covid-19,” he said, “and for us as a small district hospital with no on-site laboratory service this is invaluable.”
Meyer added that, in addition, the diagnostic ultrasound service offered by the hospital since January can now be expanded, as the newly donated machine is state-of-the-art with many of extra functions.
Before receiving the donation Wesfleur had only one functioning ultrasound machine that serviced the whole hospital.
The Same Foundation had identified a hospital in the West Coast region to donate an ultrasound machine to.
Meyer was then approached by Hendrik Radyn, an engineering technician, to write a motivation showing why Wesfleur Hospital should benefit from such as donation.
“Having done research on the value of point-of-care ultrasound in Covid-19 for the Southern and Western substructure, it was as if my prayers were answered, Meyer said. “This donation will not only help us fight against Covid-19, but beyond it too.”
Western Cape Government Health would like to thank the Same Foundation for its generous donation, which will go a long way to helping the community of Atlantis.
