Matsiko Moses, ITWA sonography trainer and soon-to-be medical doctor, completes a Quality Assurance evaluation on sonographer Byakatonda Moses in Kanungu District.

With the rest of the planet, Imaging the World (ITW) and Imaging the World Africa (ITWA) celebrate 2020 as the Year of the Nurse and Midwife. Almost half of the world’s 43 million health care workers are nurses and midwives. In under-resourced communities in countries like Uganda and Malawi, there may be fewer than 3 nurses to take care of thousands of people

In response to the dire situation across the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, GoFundMe Charity is doing it’s part to empower nonprofit organizations in need, like Imaging the World, through fundraising. In partnership with Giving Tuesday, GoFundMe Charity launched a #GivingTuesdayNow Match Program in April 2020. They pledged to give a $1,000 matching grant to the first 350 qualifying nonprofits to raise $1,000, with at least 10 donors.

In a bid to extend maternal ultrasound services to low resource areas in Uganda and Malawi, Imaging The World is using the Philips Lumify application in training point of care nurses and midwives at rural clinics on carrying out ultrasound scans. Equipped with this swift and portable technology, expectant mothers are given the necessary diagnosis without having to travel long distances to access these services.

In the summer of 2009 I had the opportunity to travel to Uganda with some of the Imaging the World (ITW) founding team as the organization began work in Africa. Following my trip to Uganda, as a senior in high school, I continued my work with ITW by helping to prepare and test sweep protocols and develop associated training materials for a high school graduation project. 

Medical Journeys is now accepting applications for medical volunteers for Uganda for this fall, winter and next spring. Opportunities are open to premed students and students currently in nursing or medical school. Practicing and retired medical professionals may also apply.

Volunteer opportunities are now available in Uganda through a new program sponsored by Imaging the World.

With help of the Philips Foundation, three rural health clinics in Uganda can provide pregnant women with potentially life-saving ultrasound scans thanks to new equipment of Philips and training provided by Kampala-based Imaging the World Africa.

Brian Stachniak, an Imaging the World board member, has been working with University of British Columbia Computer Engineering students on a Capstone Project that is sponsored by Imaging the World.

New ultrasound equipment, which was recently donated to a hospital in Malawi in partnership with Warm Hearts Foundation, was quickly put to use to treat a potentially life-threatening bowel condition in a young boy.

The American College of Radiology Foundation (ACRF) is partnering with a team of Rotary Clubs chartered by Rotary International to support Imaging The World’s efforts to address excessive maternal and infant mortality in Uganda.

Kristen DeStigter, MD, Tampas Green and Gold professor and chair of radiology, received the 2018 Beth Kirkpatrick, MD Citizen of the World Award.