By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
  • Health
    • Mental Health
  • Policy and Law
    • Global Healthcare
    • Medical Ethics
  • Medical Innovations
  • News
  • Wellness
  • Tech
Search
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Bringing Digital Radiology to the Developing World
Share
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Health Works CollectiveHealth Works Collective
Font ResizerAa
Search
Follow US
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
© 2023 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
Health Works Collective > Policy & Law > Global Healthcare > Bringing Digital Radiology to the Developing World
Global HealthcareNews

Bringing Digital Radiology to the Developing World

erica.carnevale
erica.carnevale
Share
3 Min Read
SHARE

According to the World Health Organization, two-thirds of the world lacks access to basic X-ray services.

According to the World Health Organization, two-thirds of the world lacks access to basic X-ray services. Because 60 percent of medical conditions seen in first-referral, primary care settings require X-ray to properly diagnose, the lack of X-ray capabilities hinders the delivery of effective, quality medical care.

Healthgreen, a not-for-profit social venture, was created to address the healthcare needs of the underserved with access to essential tools for diagnosis and screening.  Our program began with a project with Dr. Gustavo Casteneda Palacios Hospitalito, a small, rural hospital located 123.8 kilometers from Guatemala City in Rio Hondo, Guatemala. This facility had film-based X-ray, but lacked digital capabilities to make the system functional for the site. The costs of film and the inability to send images to remote experts for analysis were a major burden on the hospital.  

In October of 2010, Healthgreen helped bring digital functionality to the hospital with a computed radiography system donated by Carestream and installed pro bono by Jake Thompson and his team from Kane X-ray.

More Read

What to Buy to Prepare for an Emergency
The Use of Aspirin in Cancer and Heart Disease
Book Review: The Future of Health-Care Delivery by Stephen Schimpff
TKO Farms Explains Health Benefits Of Graviola Fruit
How to Recover After a Slip and Fall Injury: 4 Dos and Don’ts

And the CR system arrived just in time.  A mission of doctors had arrived to provide services to children around the country who would otherwise not receive medical treatment and the hospital was at capacity. Without a functioning X-ray system, the mission would not have been possible.  These children could not walk, attend school and rarely left their homes prior to treatment. With the computed radiography system, 440 X-rays were taken and 28 of the more complex cases underwent surgery.   The mission was considered a huge success by all involved.

We continually monitor how digital X-ray impacts the lives of people served by Healthgreen sites.  One of the first X-rays preformed at Gustavo on the CR system was on a woman who came in for a bad skin rash.  An X-ray revealed a large tumor that would need to be removed surgically.  Doctors agree that the X-ray analysis saved her life. 

We are encouraged by the impact this hospital is having on the health of their community.  With the new technology provided by Healthgreen and Carestream, the site often performs 60-70 digital X-rays a day.

We look forward to seeing how digital X-ray continues to improve access to and the quality of care patients receive at Dr. Gustavo Casteneda Palacios Hospitalito.

Krista Dany, Project Manager, Healthgreen, www.healthgreen.org

 

 

      

TAGGED:radiologyx-ray
Share This Article
Facebook Copy Link Print
Share

Stay Connected

1.5kFollowersLike
4.5kFollowersFollow
2.8kFollowersPin
136kSubscribersSubscribe

Latest News

Guide To Pursuing a Career in Nursing as a Foreigner in the USA
Collaboration Is the Prescription for Better Patient Care
Health
October 20, 2025
Epidemiological Health Benefits
Personal and Epidemiological Health Benefits of Blood Pressure Management
Health
October 13, 2025
Traumatic Brain Injuries
Understanding Traumatic Brain Injuries: What Families Need to Know
Policy & Law
October 10, 2025
Remote Monitoring touchpoints
Remote Monitoring Touchpoints Patients Will Actually Follow
Technology
October 9, 2025

You Might also Like

BusinessGlobal Healthcare

How Western Companies Can Capitalize on the Opportunities in India

December 23, 2011
NewsSpecialties

Orthobiologics: The Quest For Effective Treatment Fuels Adoption

October 14, 2018

In These 10 States, Cost-of-Living and Cost-of-Care Are Dramatically Different

June 23, 2015
healthy cakes
Health

Indulge In Guilt-Free Desserts With These Healthy Cake Recipes

May 22, 2023
Subscribe
Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!
Follow US
© 2008-2025 HealthWorks Collective. All Rights Reserved.
  • About
  • Contact
  • Privacy
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Username or Email Address
Password

Lost your password?