Truck to screen for TB in prisons

Bidvest Medical, a division of Bidvest Office, has entered the exciting and demanding mobile occupational health arena with the development of its first mobile health truck, which will be used to screen for TB in prisons around the country.

Medical Chronicle, 17 November 2015

The Departments of Justice and Correctional Services estimated the prevalence of TB in prisons to be between three and seven times that of the general population. That is concerning when one considers that South Africa has the third highest TB prevalence rate in the world, according to government estimates.

Because of the specific nature of the screening process, Mmidi Occupational Health Services approached Bidvest Medical to build a mobile TB screening facility that met Mmidi's precise requirements.

The truck is equipped with the Konica Minolta Aero-RAD digital x-ray system; as well as the lightweight AeroDR digital panel, a durable wireless/tethered digital radiography system - a solution that offers high image resolution and low doses as well as easy workflow and reliability. A specially designed battery power supply enables the truck to be used in any location on single phase, regardless of the electricity supply.

"We are delighted with the result of our endeavours to produce a mobile occupational health facility that will serve a very real need in South Africa," said Juneid Docrat, Bidvest Medical General Manager.