The Mobile Clinic A M.A.N all -terrain truck with removable clinic unit.
Bad road conditions calls for a mobile clinic that is versatile, durable and accessible.
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Simply SMS the letters clinic to 40294, and donate R20 to support this project. MTN, CellC and Vodacom users only (South Africa)
With great determination, doctors have reached the brutally rugged interiors of Africa. Since 2001, Aid to Africa has served thousands of patients. They have performed operations, administered care, dressed wounds and educated communities, but not with the efficiency possible with proper equipment.
There is a need to develop a rugged, yet versatile mobile clinic to face the challenge of the worst roads in the world and provide medical aid to otherwise unreachable communities in Africa. Due to war and natural disasters, infrastructure is usually limited to damaged and grueling gravel roads. Often, it is easier to follow the narrow “bush-trails” than the unforgiving roads. To access remote villages, the trail ends and the GPS becomes the guide. This vehicle needs to break through low-hanging branches, cross rivers, ascend steep slopes and plough through thick mud. For countries such as Mozambique, Angola, Zambia and the DRC, this vehicle will reach the need in remote areas providing previously unavailable health care.
Top view: Optometry, Dental and Surgery Unit
After careful consideration of various medical needs, a team of architects, medical doctors and project coordinators developed this design. The end result is a mobile clinic consisting of 3 units complete with rear and side awnings pulling out from the sides of the mobile box. The vehicle contains a dental unit, optometry room, and an operating theater. The walls are lead lined with sufficient 75 mm polystyrene insulation between Chromadeck sides. The floors are constructed of stainless steel diamond grid.
Sleeping quarters for medical personnel
A tent at the top of the vehicle serves two purposes. It would sleep six volunteers, keeping them safe from dangerous predators. By day, it would provide insulation to the rear clinic unit under the blazing sun. The rest of the awning would consist of a rugged water-proof material. It would pull out from retractable side roller systems mounted to three sides of the clinic. The awnings provide shade from intense sun and shelter from weather during consultations and basic examinations.
The Dental Unit
The Dental unit includes:
Manual dental chair
Autoclave machine
Refrigerator
X-ray machine and developer
Manual instruments
Light
Sufficient storage place for medicines and tools
Basin
Air conditioner
2 pivoting chairs
The Surgery Unit
Mobile X-ray machine up to
chest size x-rays
All machines and tools must be fastened securely inside the unit with consideration of extreme shock, vibration and shaking. This image above serves to illustrate the basic set up of equipment throughout the unit. The items in this unit includes:
ACG machine with necessary regulatory Gas bottles of oxygen
Movable operating table with side drawers for x-ray plates. It locks in position, and has an adjustable table top.
Includes leg and arm rests for deliveries or fractured limbs
Refrigerator under counter
Top and bottom cupboards for necessary medicines and tools
Air-conditioner
Surgery light
X-ray developer
Basin
The Optometry Unit
The optometry unit includes:
Air conditioner
Eye testing unit
Lens scope
Drawers for glasses
Pull out trolley
Optometry chair
Optometrist chair
Eye charts
Side View: Ample ground clearance is necessary to protect main axles, drive train and undercarriage. This large rugged vehicle can reach speeds up to 120km per hour. This side view illustrates the vehicle's size compared to a 1,7 meter (6 foot) adult person.
Side view showing four stabilizing bars at each corner of the unit. The four jacks are manually operated. Manual engineering is used consistently throughout the unit for ensured durability as well as cost effectiveness. The operator has the option to lock the stabilizer jacks at this height or to lower the clinic to approximately 50 cm (1.5 feet) from the ground.
Side view showing stilts
Making the Mobile Clinic removable, enables optimal use of truck and allows for semi-permanence within needy community
Ending the day with education videos is an ideal way of reaching out to the community
Educational videos concerning AIDS, prevention, victim care and social issues may be shown on the white sides of the unit.
The MOBILE CLINIC is ideal for ministering to the needs of the otherwise medically unreachable communities throughout Africa. Distance, dependability, duration of missions, costs and versatility were all considered during development. As of now, DFL has already acquired the brand new M.A.N. truck for the Aid to Africa project. Funds for the mobile clinic are in the process of being raised. R 2million ($286,000 u.s.) is needed for the clinic. R30,000, ($4,300 u.s.) is needed for food, medical supplies, fuel and running expenses per mission.
Below are photos of DFL’s M.A.N. Truck, already
acquired in August, 2003. It is currently used to transport building material and food to the DFL Day Care Centres
