Qech has no CT scanner

By | October 26, 2018

Qech has no CT scanner

Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital (Qech), one of the biggest public referral hospitals in the country is running without a computerized tomography (CT) scanner making treatment of various health conditions such as hydrocephalus and spina bifida difficult.
A CT scan allows doctors to see inside the body. It uses a combination of X-rays and a computer to create pictures of one’s organs, bones, and other tissues. It shows more detail than a regular X-ray.
The absence of the equipment was revealed on Thursday during commemorations for this year’s International Day of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus.
Doctor Patrick Kamalo, a neurosurgeon at the hospital pleaded with government and other well-wishers to help them with the equipment to allow them effectively treat children with the conditions.
“For us to do an operation on a hydrocephalus patient we need a comprehensive scan on the head to see the extent of the problem, for example, the amount of liquid in the brain, the level of brain damage and other issues so that we give the proper treatment.
“Currently we are depending on MRI (Magnetic resonance imaging) scan which does not work perfectly for it is not that comprehensive. We have been in a situation where we discover a problem, i.e brain tumour, while the operation is already underway and this has resulted in us losing some patients, this is really pathetic and we plead for an immediate intervention,” said Kamalo.
Board chairperson of the Association of Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Blessings Chapweteka called on mothers to develop a habit of eating food reach in folic acid to prevent giving birth to babies with such a condition and take their babies to hospital as early as possible if they detect any defect in growth.
About 350 new cases of spina bifida and hydrocephalus are registered in the country annually, 250 of which are registered at Qech alone.
Hydrocephalus is a condition that occurs when fluid builds up in the skull and causes the brain to swell while spina bifida is a condition where the bones in the vertebral column do not fully cover the spinal cord, leaving it exposed to various infections.
Also present at the function was Princes Chitsulo, a local gospel artist who has just been chosen as the ambassador for spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
In her remarks, Chitsulo called on parents to love and take good care of children with the two conditions just like they would do with any other child.
She further encouraged parents to allow such children attain education to become useful citizens in future.
The 7th World Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus Day (WSBHD) was conducted under the topic “Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus throughout the lifespan” and the subtheme “Tell us your story”.