Patients In Nigeria To Benefit From Five New Cardiology Machines Donated By City Hospital, Sandwell And W Birmingham NHS, UK

Main Category: Aid / Disasters
Also Included In: Cardiovascular / Cardiology;  Medical Devices / Diagnostics
Article Date: 26 Nov 2008 - 3:00 PST

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The four ECG machines and an echocardiogram machine, which help medics diagnose heart problems, have been sent to the Federal Medical Centre in Abeokuta after they were decommissioned at City hospital.

The project has been established by cardiology registrar Dr Tosin Majekodunmi, who explained: "Normally the hospital has to pay for out of date medical equipment to be returned to the manufacturers, so I wanted to find an alternative that would put this machinery to use yet not cost the Trust any money.

"I had already made contact with a clinic in my childhood home town of Abeokuta, regarding a cardiology research project I was interested in running, and so I knew how desperate the clinic was for this kind of equipment. When I spoke to them again, they were delighted with our offer.

"The cost of a modern echo machine is way out of reach for the centre but it is within reason to pay for shipping. When they arrive at the clinic they will be ready for use immediately as Nigeria has the same electrical voltage as the UK," he said.

Abeokuta, near Lagos is a large town with high levels of deprivation in the local population. Dr Majekodunmi explained:

"The medical centre looks after vast numbers of patients. Rates of hypertension, hypertensive heart disease and rheumatic heart disease are high in Abeokuta and this new equipment will help doctors provide early diagnosis and determine what surgery is needed.

Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust