Mobile Units

MedChild manages one mobile “Unit for pediatric telediagnosis and emergency assistance” capable of reaching remote locations and providing initial health assistance backed up via satellite by the best Italian pediatric facilities. MedChild is planning to acquire more units to tackle emergencies and to plan screening campaigns focusing on specific illnesses and geographical areas.

The first Unit, donated by Liguria Region to Gaslini Foundation that equipped it for pediatric purposes, was recently bequeathed to MedChild. This mobile unit (named MOPSET -  Mobile Pediatric System for Emergency and Telediagnosys) is an articulated truck consisting of a towing vehicle and a trailer, respectively 6 and 8 meters in length, both adapted for use on rough terrain.

The towing vehicle is an ambulance with a medical compartment of 3.2 x 2.4 m. It is equipped with separate air conditioning and filtering systems for the cab and the compartment, a portable generator, and cylinders of oxygen and compressed air. The medical equipment is described in the technical appendix.

The trailer is the medical department and is divided into two independent but communicating sections: a medical compartment of 6 x 2.4 m and a technical space of 2 x 2.4 m. Suitable environmental conditions are maintained inside by means of insulation, a double set of doors, and an air conditioning and filtering system.

In the event of external temperatures far in excess of the average, a canopy can also be used to protect the trailer, which is completely autonomous, being equipped with a power supply system, generator, supplies of drinkable water and diesel oil, tanks for discharged fluids, and cylinders of oxygen and compressed air. Where possible, the trailer can also be directly connected to external power and water systems.
The Technical Appendix provides details of the technical characteristics and medical equipment of the trailer.

The trailer is equipped with a satellite communications system making it possible to connect with the Telemedicina Telbios network and in particular with the Gaslini Institute. It has its own LAN and its major items of medical equipment are fitted with digital ports to connect with the communications system.
The trailer is also equipped with video-cameras, lamps and monitors making it possible to hold tele-conferences.

MOPSET has been recently used in Jordan for a pediatric screening campaign in remote areas of Al Kerak Province, in the framerwork of cooperation between the Jordan Ministry of Health, Gaslini Foundation/MedChild and ANSMI (owner of Italian hospitals in Jordan and other non-European Mediterranean countries).
The campaign took place from September 2005 to July 2006.

In eights months of activities 11.000 children (aged between 0 and 12 years) were visited in remote areas rarely assisted by the Jordanian Health System. The Jordan health authorities and institutions appreciated the achievements of the campaign and requested an extension of the project to other areas of the Al Kerak Province and other remote areas.