A SCOTTISH charity has installed Namibia’s first paediatric operating room.
With 3000 pieces of equipment provided at the Windhoek Central Hospital (WCH) in the country’s capital, the state-of-the-art facility is already being used by paediatric teams, who previously had to adapt adult surgical equipment and facilities.
Namibia is the 22nd country to benefit from the Scottish registered charity Kids Operating Room (KidsOR).
Describing it as an “exceptionally proud moment”, Garreth Wood, KidsOR co-founder, said: “Investing in high-quality surgical infrastructure strengthens healthcare systems and allows nations to start moving towards independent delivery of care for their children.
“The facility has been an immediate success with surgeons and patients alike and is providing safe paediatric surgery – something we take for granted.
“A frustrating reality for gifted surgeons across many of the places we work is having the knowledge to save a child’s life but not the equipment.”
Wood said limited to no access of appropriate surgical care meant children are at risk of dying from treatable conditions like appendicitis or subject to a lifetime of disability from a broken ankle.
“That’s why we are so passionate about our work and by providing access to paediatric equipment we are breaking new ground to save children’s lives.”
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For each operating room it installs, KidsOR compiles and tests all components from its Dundee logistics hub, according to the organisation.
It went on: “A team works with in-country engineers and surgeons to install the equipment, as well as adorning the walls with colourful graphics representative of that country’s wildlife.
“These visuals have become the charity’s hallmark – and help to put children and families at ease pre and post-surgery.”
Wood said the charity believes surgery is a basic human right that “must sit at the heart of any sustainable healthcare system”.
“Our work won’t stop until this is available to all children,” he said.
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