Cluster

Vojvodina

Title

Improving Reproductive Health Care Services in Vrbas General Hospital

Problem

Regarding reproductive health care services, in addition to the Vrbas municipality the Vrbas General Hospital covers the municipalities of Srbobran, Kula, Mali Idjos and Becej since these areas do not have maternity wards. The Hospital, however, lacked a proper ultrasound apparatus, as their device (located at the Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics) was over 15 years old and in very bad condition. It could only provide a limited range of services due to being equipped only with an abdominal probe. Due to this situation, many female patients, especially pregnant women and women in perimenopausal stage, were compelled to seek health care services at the Gynecology and Obstetrics Hospital in Novi Sad. In most instances they had to wait for several weeks to obtain an examination, which is especially problematic in cases where an urgent diagnosis is needed. Furthermore, neonatal examinations of newborn babies’ brain structures and hips were also not possible due to the lack of a vaginal probe.

Solution

The Vrbas General Hospital was provided with a Color Doppler ultrasound apparatus with three multifrequency probes (linear, convex and vaginal). Medical staff received training on proper usage of the new equipment.

Impact

Providing the Vrbas General Hospital with the appropriate equipment enables the Department for Gynecology and Obstetrics to provide a wide range of additional reproductive health services for its thousands of patients, eliminating their need to seek health care services elsewhere. The color Doppler ultrasound apparatus with three multifrequency probes allows more precise diagnostics in gynecology, neonatology, and obstetrics: the linear ultrasound probe conducts breast ultrasound examinations which are vital for the early detection of breast cancer, and the vaginal probe is of great importance for neonatal examinations (monitoring pregnancies) and gynecological diagnostics, especially in detecting cervical cancer. In addition, the linear probe allows the Oncology Department to provide ultrasound examinations of the thyroid gland. Early detection of malfunctions and abnormalities will enable timely and proper treatment and contribute to reduction of the mortality rate caused by the above-mentioned conditions.

Beneficiaries

7,007

USAID Funds

$30,000

Community and Other Contribution

$11,600