Recognizing an urgent need for accessible prenatal care in outlying villages of Suriname, we recently donated essential medical equipment to nine clinics operated by Medical Mission Primary Health Care Suriname (MMPHCS).
Each clinic received ultrasound devices, gel and iPads, as well as specialized training in ultrasonography, to help them provide more robust prenatal care for women who cannot travel to the country’s capital city during their pregnancies.
The medical equipment will ensure that scans are accessible even in the most remote villages ensuring regular monitoring and reassurance, as well as the opportunity for early diagnosis or medical intervention if required.
The Powaka clinic, which serves the village of Brownsweg, is one of the nine clinics to benefit from the community partnership between APA Suriname and MMPHCS. It already had two ultrasound machines; however, they were insufficient to meet the increasing demands of the community.
Some members of APA’s team recently toured the facility, which provides essential health services to local families, meeting a mother and her newborn who had benefited from the clinic’s expertise.
“Seeing the clinic staff use the ultrasound and bring reassurance and joy to families during pregnancy really brought APA’s mission to life,” said External Affairs Director Deena M. “This donation is really providing essential care equipment to some of the most remote areas and ensuring these women receive consistent care locally, without the need to travel for miles. As a company, we are committed to empowering communities to build a stronger, more sustainable future, and this is a powerful example of how supporting communities and their access to health care can lead to lasting change.”
This latest donation strengthens the partnership between APA Suriname and MMPHCS. In 2018, APA Suriname donated eight solar-powered refrigerators, as the clinic faced challenges with limited equipment and unreliable electricity resulting in unused essential vaccines being disposed.
Expanding beyond maternity care, APA Suriname will ensure health care workers in the region are also trained to use the ultrasound devices for kidney and prostate screenings, strengthening APA’s commitment to supporting long-term community well-being through community partnerships.
