Hospitals receive new medical equipment

GAKENKE/RWAMAGANA - General Electric Foundation has donated assorted medical equipment to Nemba Hospital in Gakenke District. The facilities that included radiology, ecography and anaesthetic machines worth about Rwf 180 million were handed over on Wednesday. The donation included a technical support component which covers training for the hospital technicians on using the machines, installation of the machines and spare parts for the next two years. Addressing hospital staff and district leaders, the chairman of GE Foundation, Bob Corcoran, affirmed their commitment to supporting people to access standard health care. He commended Rwandan medics for exhibiting professionalism and commitment which he said is critical in maintaining healthy citizens. The hospital’s Director, Jean Baptiste Habimana, disclosed that the health insurance has increased access to health care in the area. He however, noted that the number of mothers attending the mandatory four times antenatal care and those delivering from health centres was still low. District officials asked the hospital staff to ensure proper maintenance and make good use of the equipment. Meanwhile, Rwamagana Hospital also received three incubator machines donated by General Electric Foundation, yesterday. The machines were handed over by the project officials led by Paula Madson, who is the Executive vice-President GE Foundation. The hospital’s Director Dr. Claude Ndagijimana said that the donation was timely. “The equipment we got is modern and have come at the right time to replace the archaic ones. However, we are still in need of more incubators. The fact that General Electric project has given us two more incubators is encouraging,” Ndagijimana said. He added that maternal and infant mortality rate has reduced from 17% to 13%. The project administrators inspected different departments in the hospital, including a surgical ward where they donated stretchers.