In July 2024, Anna Borys, head physician for hand and elbow surgery at Benedictus Hospital in Tutzing, and Annelie Siepmann, surgical assistant, returned to one of the partner projects together for the fourth time. After their last assignment at the Irrawaddy River Doctors in Myanmar in October 2023, their trip took them back to Tanzania this year - for the second time to the St. Walburg’s Hospital in Nyangao.
Impressed by the visible progress since their last visit two years ago, both praised the significant improvements in work and hygiene in the operating room. An absolute highlight: thanks to their support, the C-arm donated by Artemed Stiftung , which had been out of use for some time, was put back into operation. C-arms have become an indispensable part of modern diagnostic and surgical medicine. The mobile X-ray systems enable medical staff to visualize anatomical details quickly and in a few simple steps - with a high degree of safety and a low radiation dose. The X-ray source of the mobile C-arm emits X-rays that penetrate the patient's body and are then converted into an image by the image intensifier. This is visualized on a mobile monitor. The smallest anatomical details such as blood vessels or bones can be viewed during an operation.
The mobile C-arm owes its name to its characteristic shape, consisting of the C-arm stand and a mobile viewing station. The actual C-arm, i.e. the part of the mobile X-ray unit that connects the X-ray source to the X-ray detector, moves freely around the patient table - horizontally, vertically and around the swivel axes. This means that the success of the treatment can be checked from almost any angle of the patient and at any time during the procedure.
Her greatest wish with regard to the planned conversion work: The hospital's sterilization department. "Sterilization should be an absolute priority for the hospital," say Borys and Siepmann. This area is essential for the proper preparation and sterilization of contaminated material and thus ensures the quality of medical care and the prevention of post-operative infections.
Their experience and recommendations are a valuable basis for future projects such as the master plan, which envisages the systematic new construction and conversion of the hospital (we reported). Supporters such as Anna Borys and Annelie Siepmann contribute significantly to the sustainability of our projects with their many years of commitment and are therefore an important pillar of our work! Thank you very much.
