According to some studies, 68% of women in urban areas have access to ultrasound compared to 18% in rural areas. This is not surprising though as it is almost accepted that people in rural areas always lack access to basics of healthcare. Ultrasound is a relatively old technology first used in 1942 by neurologist Karl Dussik after the world war two. It should be by now both accessible and affordable.
How can we make ultrasound technology accessible, affordable, available and appropriate?
The solution will properly involves a private/public partnership. This is the most obvious solution. Resources will be used effectively if government work with public sector. It will be a win/win situation. Government can partner with independent private doctors in a meaningful way to tackle this problem.
Independent private medical practitioners are the backbone of healthcare in South Africa. They often perform what look like a thankless task under challenging circumstances. They provide services to areas with little or no infrastructure and to the poorest of the poor. Private medical practitioners have to use their resources to pay huge startup costs without subsidies. They are the real unsung heroes.
What can organization do to assist?
The most important task of the business is to create economic value and so most business focus on well off clients to maximize their income. That is a rational thing to do. It is the most responsible thing to do. Business exists to make profit. However expecting rural areas medical practices to buy high priced medical equipment seem unsustainable. They serve the most neglected members of society, therefore the most important task of any social conscious business is to enable access. What is the point of selling a product if majority of the customers cannot afford it?
There should a creative way to assist medical practices in rural areas. It is already hard to start and sustain the businesses under those circumstances. Fortunately, there are models that work such as Unjani clinics for example. These female nurses lead enterprises have been pioneering a new way bringing access to healthcare. They are growing from strength to strength, helping nurses to realize their entrepreneurial dreams and bring healthcare to rural areas. This is a social enterprise model that is proving to be a success
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