Gift of the Givers donates much-needed monitor to Karl Bremer Hospital

Cape Town – Humanitarian organisation Gift of the Givers has donated an amplitude-integrated electroencephalogram (aEEG) monitor to Karl Bremer Hospital’s neonatal unit.

The aEEG is a method for continuous monitoring of brain function in preterm and term infants. The monitor can also assist healthcare workers to detect neonatal seizures.

Healthcare workers at the hospital provide around-the-clock care to sick and premature babies and have welcomed the donation of the much-needed monitor.

Dr Mark Wates, who works at the hospital, reached out to Gift of the Givers after identifying the need for an aEEG monitor.

“It’s a machine we’ve been trying to get for the hospital for many years now, but due to the cost of equipment it’s been a problem. I approached Gift of the Givers and asked if they could donate a machine and, fortunately, they considered my request after doing a presentation. We have many babies that are born after a difficult delivery or if a mother could not make it to a clinic in time. We also often find that babies need extra tertiary management.

“Without the machine, we relied on our clinical judgment to decide if this is a child that should go to a tertiary hospital or not. The machine will help us to decide whether a child will need further care at a tertiary level,” Wates said.

Dr Naeem Kathrada handed over the donation on behalf of the Gift of the Givers

“Our hope is that this machine will help the hospital to make a difference. The machine will help to identify when a child needs tertiary level care. This means that a bed will open up at the district hospital and another child can receive care here at Karl Bremer Hospital. We are also very grateful to all of you for facilitating change and making a difference. We hope this makes life easier for everyone,” Kathrada said.

Karl Bremer Hospital chief executive Jonathan Lucas thanked the organisation for the donation.

“Karl Bremer Hospital is once again grateful to the Gift of the Givers for donating to the hospital its first amplitude integrated electroencephalogram monitor that is needed for the continuous monitoring of brain function of premature babies.

“This valuable clinical equipment addition to our neonatal room will provide vital information when monitoring the brain activity of premature infants that will assist clinicians with early diagnosis and critical treatment decision-making,” Lucas said.

“The Gift of the Givers is once again true to its vision of restoring hope and dignity to the most vulnerable and, for this, the hospital and clinical staff are grateful,” he added.

Karl Bremer Hospital Board chairperson Mark Le Fleur said the donation would help in supporting the healthcare efforts provided to newborn babies in surrounding communities.

Cape Times