improves mother and child care in Afrika
SMM aims to continue providing education in the field of maternal and child care, particularly in ultrasound. Furthermore, SMM seeks to facilitate ultrasound equipment for maternal and child care in the rural areas of northern Tanzania, specifically in the Arusha region (Karatu) and the Kilimanjaro region (Moshi and Himo).
In 2025, SMM aims to offer at least four scholarships to candidates selected by the foundation for the new one-year ultrasound training program at the hospital in Dodoma or Moshi. These graduates will also receive additional hands-on training from SMM.
In 2025, SMM, in collaboration with Stichting Driving Nurses (SDN), will initiate mobile antenatal check-ups supported by ultrasound in the rural areas of Karatu. Since the end of 2023, SDN has been responsible for equipping the mobile services, facilitating transportation, and providing healthcare workers. The Karatu Lutheran Hospital provides staff and transport. SMM will organize ultrasound training sessions and, if necessary, lend ultrasound equipment. The project in Moshi serves as an example for the Karatu region. In Karatu, the same support will be provided as in lower Moshi.
For the time being, Dr. Simpa will perform mobile ultrasound scans on the bus using the Lumify device provided by SMM. In 2024, midwife Noela from Karatu Lutheran Hospital started her ultrasound training in Dodoma. By 2025, she will be able to support antenatal check-ups on the Mamabus with ultrasound.
In 2023, a field study was conducted in the area surrounding Himo. In collaboration with the Himo Health Center, SMM aims to provide antenatal care with ultrasound support in the surrounding areas. First, ultrasound expertise within the Himo Health Center needs to be strengthened. One candidate has already been nominated and hopes to secure a place in the ultrasound training program in Moshi or Dodoma in 2025.
Opportunities for a new project in the Usambara Mountains were explored during a work visit in September 2023, in collaboration with the MamboSteunPunt foundation. For now, SMM will focus solely on training ultrasound specialists in this region.
In 2025, SMM aims to focus more on organizing and facilitating ultrasound education in Tanzania. Regina Namumba, a highly experienced senior sonographer, will continue to provide hands-on training for junior sonographers at SMM in 2025.
In 2025, the foundation will celebrate its 10th anniversary. To mark this occasion, the foundation plans to organize a symposium, where discussions will focus on the future of the foundation in Tanzania and the potential establishment of a skills lab.