“Help that Works: Sustainable Collaboration in Moshi”

Veronika Tarimo has been connected to the Mount Meru Foundation for five years. In 2019, with our support, she was able to attend a local ultrasound training program. In December 2020, she began using the Lumify mobile ultrasound device on the Mamabus in Moshi. Since then, women in rural areas have had access to prenatal ultrasound scans. And she hasn't been idle: in addition to receiving further ultrasound training from the foundation, she has also taken steps to improve her skills on her own.

At the end of October, Veronika will begin a one-year program to become a registered nurse. Currently, she is an enrolled nurse, which is somewhat comparable to advancing from a vocational to a bachelor's level in nursing. To temporarily replace her on the Mamabus, a new nurse has been hired. Unfortunately, this nurse cannot perform ultrasounds, and it is currently very difficult to get candidates admitted to the local ultrasound training program. Fortunately, Veronika will continue to hold ultrasound consultations on weekends, and she may be able to teach her replacement the basic principles.

The Lumify device continues to serve faithfully on the Mamabus. Recently, however, the accompanying tablet failed, but luckily, Veronika was able to connect the ultrasound device to her mobile phone. Although it is more challenging to evaluate images on such a small screen, she was at least able to continue performing ultrasounds. Thanks to the help of some friends of the foundation, we have since found a good new tablet, which will be sent to Tanzania in September.

The impact of mobile ultrasound in outreach programs was recently highlighted by a case Veronika shared in the group chat for ultrasound technicians that we support. During a 34-week pregnancy, she detected anencephaly, a severe disorder where the brain is not fully developed. Due to Veronika’s attentiveness, the pregnant woman could be referred in time to a specialized center.

The Mount Meru Foundation is proud of Veronika and grateful that, thanks to everyone's efforts, we can continue offering mobile prenatal ultrasounds in the rural areas of Moshi.