Fundraising for ultrasound machine for St Ann's Bay Hospital, Jamaica (See Blog)
Fundraising for ultrasound machine for St Ann's Bay Hospital, Jamaica (See Blog)
Urgent Update: St Ann's Bay Hospital's maternity department is in dire need of an ultrasound machine. The previous machine is unrepairable, and the public hospital lacks the funding for a replacement. The hospital's maternity ward has an average of 65 inpatients with an additional 30-40 outpatients seen per day. When their ultrasound machine was operational, at least 28-30 patients received diagnostic ultrasounds per day. These are both high risk prenatal and gynecological patients. Without the machine, a stable patient must take a referral and travel to a private radiology clinic to receive an ultrasound at their own expense. For many patients, this is a financial hardship. It is also not safe or practical for an unstable patient. Please consider donating, any sum would be appreciated, towards a new ultrasound machine for St. Ann's Bay Hospital. 100% of your donation will go towards the machine.
Remedi, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was incorporated in 2018, but its ultrasound donation and training program began in 2012 through another nonprofit. Eight ultrasound machines have been donated to Jamaican public hospitals. Remedi's team volunteers travel to Jamaica several times a year to train Jamaican physicians and midwives and to ensure that the equipment is operating properly. In 2024, Remedi expanded to Honduras with the donation of an ultrasound machine and ongoing training.
Why is ultrasound such a crucial intervention? Many international public hospitals do not have equipment such as CAT scans, MRI, and ultrasound. Many do not have x-ray. Ultrasound is the most diverse and economical form of medical imaging. It is not only a mainstay for obstetrics but also vital for trauma assessment. Ultrasound can detect broken bones, internal bleeding, appendicitis, gallbladder disease, and kidney stones. Ultrasound also uncovers deep vein clots, collapsed lungs, aortic aneurysms, and cardiac deformities. Ultrasound is a valuable tool for procedures such as starting IV's and monitoring the heart during resuscitation.
Remedi's director, Dr. Jill Linse, is a licensed physician in Minnesota and Jamaica. She is certified in global medicine and point of care ultrasound. Dr. Linse’s teams include sonographers and physicians. Our program has improved patient health and saved lives. Several of our Jamaican physician trainees are now training their colleagues.
Remedi's other donations have included dental equipment, EKG machines, defibrillators, and blood pressure machines. In 2022, Remedi started a Jamaican nursing scholarship program to address a critical nursing shortage. We have sponsored three practical nursing graduates and are currently sponsoring a registered nursing student.