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. 

At Imaging the World (ITW), continuing professional development (CPD), skills transfer, training and volunteer programs are vital to reaching our goals. As such, we work with our partners at Imaging the World Africa and rural clinics within our programs to optimize our efforts and opportunities for volunteers.

Kristen DeStigter, president of Imaging the World, was recently featured in a news story in Vermont. Anyone not fully familiar with the origins of the organization may enjoy reading the story.

Dr Nazarius Mbona Tumwesigye and Dr Noah Kiwanuka from the Makerere University School of Public Health, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, recently met in Vermont with Dr Kristen DeStigter, president of Imaging the World.

RSNA 2018 in Chicago recently presented an opportunity to bring Ugandan and Imaging the World radiologists together again.

An article on the impact of maternal heart conditions on the outcome of pregnancies will soon be published in Heart, a major peer-reviewed international journal published by the British Cardiovascular Society.

Imaging the World announced five additions to its board of directors, including Jane Alsofrom as its new board chair.

The first of two benefit events for Imaging the World will be held on Monday, November 26 in Chicago at Mom’s Place. The second event is on Friday, November 30th in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at dessous (a lounge and restaurant).

A pilot study will soon begin to assess the impact of ultrasound pregnancy screening on neonatal outcomes in Uganda. 

The study reveals a high prevalence of undiagnosed heart disease in pregnant women who seek prenatal care. The outcomes of these pregnancy were poor compared to women who did not have heart disease.

Come out to run or walk to support Imaging the World’s work with mothers and children in Africa. October 28 at 10:00, Perkins Pier, Burlington, VT.

I am so thankful for my time in Uganda. I learned more in the two hospitals I visited than I ever could have in a classroom setting. My new knowledge and the things I saw will stay with me for life.

New ultrasound screening rooms have been installed at three level III health clinics in the Gulu district of Uganda.

Imaging the World returned to Bwindi Community Hospital in July 2018 where we launched our first pilot program for ultrasound as part of the curriculum of their nursing program two years ago.

As part of our quality program, Imaging the World has created a Peer Review system embracing the peer learning model.

Professor Jon Jacobson MD, a professor of radiology from the University of Michigan, provided an Imaging the World Africa Professional Development Course (CPD/CME), in Kampala from July 19-21, 2018.