REMEDI: Reliable Equipment Medical Education Delivered Internationally
REMEDI: Reliable Equipment Medical Education Delivered Internationally
Remedi, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, was incorporated in 2018, but its ultrasound donation and training program began in 2012 under the umbrella of another nonprofit. Seven 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 donation of an ultrasound machine and plans for ongoing training.
Why is ultrasound such a crucial intervention? Many international public hospitals have dire shortages of medical equipment such as CAT scans, MRI, and ultrasound. Some sites even lack x-ray. Ultrasound is the most diverse and economical form of medical imaging. It is not only invaluable for obstetrics but also useful for trauma assessment. Ultrasound can detect broken bones and internal bleeding. Ultrasound can also diagnose appendicitis, gallbladder disease, and ectopic pregnancies. It is also useful for deep vein clots, collapsed lungs, and cardiac imaging. 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 practicing physician in Minnesota and also licensed in 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 currently has ultrasound machines and trains physicians at seven hospital sites in Jamaica and one site in Honduras. Past equipment donations have also 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 students.