Rigel Medical helps save lives in Africa

An orthopedic patient named Maurinho in rehabilitation after receiving free surgeries to straighten his bowed legs onboard the Africa Mercy in Benin.    ©Mercy Ships, credit: Miguel OttavianoA manufacturer of biomedical test equipment is continuing to help a global charity deliver healthcare services on-board the world’s largest hospital ship.

Rigel Medical, part of Seaward Group, supplies biomedical test equipment to Mercy Ships, an international charity.

The voluntary organization delivers free medical care to some of the world’s poorest countries via a former passenger ship which has been converted into a hospital with five operating rooms, an intensive care unit and 80 ward beds.

The Africa Mercy has just returned from a 10-month field service to Cameroon – and is scheduled to arrive in Conakry, Guinea in August for its next service.

The ship is fitted out with equipment to test the hospital’s syringe drivers, which deliver a consistent flow of injected medication, and its volumetric pumps for infusion of fluids – all manufactured at Rigel’s UK base.

The testers, Rigel’s Multi-Flo Infusion Pump Analyzers, provide an essential service on board as they ensure patients are administered the correct doses at all times. Without them, patients are put at serious risk of receiving the wrong levels of medication – which can be fatal.  

Rigel also provided a suite of essential testing devices, including a 288+ Electrical Safety Analyser, a portable tester designed to perform routine tests on medical electrical equipment, and a UniPulse defibrillator analyzer which ensures defibrillators are working correctly.

Rigel Medical, soon to be rebranded as Seaward Medical, has a long standing commitment to supporting charitable organizations and overseas healthcare providers.

The firm has previously supplied equipment to be used in voluntary missions to Asian and Africa.

Jackie Abbott, corporate relations at Mercy Ships, said: “We’re extremely grateful for the support that Rigel Medical has given us.

“Our trip to Cameroon was our biggest venture yet and it wouldn’t have been possible without partners like Rigel.”

Jack Barrett, national business development manager at Rigel Medical, said: “We’re delighted to continue helping Mercy Ships carry out its important work.

“The work the team accomplishes is simply incredible and it’s a real honour  to be able to contribute to the mission in such a vital way.”

ABOUT MERCY SHIPS:The Africa Mercy is the world's largest private hospital ship staffed by 400 Mercy Ships volunteers from 40 nations. ©Mercy Ships

Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class healthcare services, capacity building and sustainable development to those with little access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $1.3 billion, treating more than 2.56 million direct beneficiaries. The Africa Mercy is crewed by 400 volunteers from up to 40 nations, an average of 1000 each year. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, healthcare trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. With offices in 16 nations, Mercy Ships seeks to transform individuals and serve nations one at a time. For more information visit the website.