An electronics firm has donated a new ultrasound machine to Mowbray Maternity Hospital, saying it was inspired by cardiologist Professor Ntobeko Ntusi climbing Mount Kilimanjaro to raise funds for one.
At the end of last year, Professor Ntusi travelled to Tanzania to climb Africa’s highest peak in a fund-raising drive for an ultrasound machine. (“Heart doc to climb mountain for maternity hospital,” Southern Suburbs Tatler, November 25).
The R500 000 machine was presented to the hospital on Thursday July 28.
The electronics company had contacted the hospital about making a donation after seeing a social media post about Professor Ntusi fund-raising initiative, said the hospital’s CEO, Janine Joemat.
“We are so overwhelmed by the generosity of everybody who became aware of Professor Ntusi’s climb. The donors who donated on his GivenGain page who all shared encouraging messages towards him and now the private sector donor who donated this machine to us. Please know this machine will improve patient care,” she said.
Professor Ntusi, who is the chair and head of medicine at UCT and Groote Schuur Hospital, said it had taken him four days to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. “I enjoy the sheer beauty of the mountains, the solace they provide, and learning about the flora, fauna, and geology of each mountain.”
He had received an email from the electronics company offering to donate an ultrasound machine, he said.
Lead anaesthetist for obstetric anaesthesia at Groote Schuur and Mowbray Maternity Hospitals, Dr Dominique van Dyk, said the machine served multiple functions.
“Whilst mothers attending Mowbray Maternity often have ultrasound screening of their baby’s growth and development, and the public is familiar with this, very few laypeople realise that an ultrasound machine is very useful for the safe care of mothers undergoing obstetric surgery, usually caesarean section deliveries.”
The hospital now has a five ultrasound machines, and Ms Joemat said that thanks to Professor Ntusi’s fund-raising efforts plus support from donors, the hospital had managed to raise a further R200 000 which would be used to buy another one.
Anybody wishing to support the Hospital can email mmh.enquiries@westerncape.gov.za
