EAMAF has set an ambitious goal– to provide a portable ultrasound machine to every facility where our graduates are now practicing.
All of the Assistant Medical Officer [AMO] graduates of the Kilimanjaro School of Radiology have been trained in the use of ultrasound and in the interpretation of ultrasound images. Unfortunately, most of them do not have ultrasound available at their work locations. Without ultrasound, they cannot function effectively as radiologists, or deliver the services they have been trained to provide.
Ultrasound creates images through the use of sound waves. Compared with other advanced imaging techniques, it tends to be much less expensive and is more transportable. The use of ultrasound can be lifesaving, particularly in the area of pregnancy where it can significantly reduce maternal mortality.
For Project Ultrasound, each machine is about the size of a standard briefcase. The cost is in the range of $5,000-6,000. As have been 95 graduates from the School of Radiology, EAMAF’s goal is to raise approximately $475,000 for ultrasound units.
If you would like to contribute to this effort, please designate your donation specifically to Project Ultrasound.
Biomedical Repair Facility
EAMAF is in the process of building and equipping a biomedical repair facility at KCMC. This will allow for the much needed repair service for radiological equipment, as well as other equipment for the hospital, such as EKG machines and respiratory devices.
Digital Radiology
EAMAF’s newest project is focused on moving to a digital radiology department. This has become the standard in much of the rest of the world. There are several advantages:
- Lower cost. Digitization would eliminate the need for xray film and its associated expense. It is estimated that the initial investment would be made up in 2 years from cost savings.
- Greater availability of images. Images could be made available electronically to other areas of the hospital where they are needed for patient care. It also eliminates the problem of lost and missing films.
- Through teleradiology, US radiologists would be able to provide assistance for patient care and to the schools of radiology. This would be particularly helpful complex cases.
EAMAF is very excited to report that we are making progress with the Digital Radiology instillation. The process has begun in, August of 2017, with installing new computer cabling and hardware to handle the new Picture Archiving & Communication System (PACS). PACS is a system that provides economical storage, rapid retrieval of images, access to images acquired with multiple modalities, and simultaneous access at multiple sites. This enhanced system provides the hospital with the ability to have radiologist outside of KCMC consult and see the images in real time.
These are the people who have been working on this update.
Amar (Pacific Co.), McDening Mrema (Network Admin.), Daniel Mariki (Radiographer), Sali Mzungu (Radiographer), Mrs. Doreen Massam (Human Resource Officer), Mr. Herman Oosterwijk (O.Tech, Inc.), Dr. Giliad Masenaga (Executive Director), Tumaini Mrema (PACS Admin. Asst.), Daniel Shao (PACS Admin.) Mrs. Hilda Mungure (Director of Finance), Peter Masue (Radiographer) Dr. Kalambo (Radiologist), Hans Yambazi (Head ICT Dept.), Alfred Msaki (Radiographer) and Epimark Kyara (Data Entry PACS).
Cancer Center
EAMAF is working collaboratively with the Foundation for Cancer Care, Radiating Hope, KCMC, and Duke University to establish a cancer center at KCMC. The project will include a radiation therapy unit, as well as the necessary housing for patients and their families. EAMAF’s role is evolving, but will likely include bringing MRI to KCMC.
