The Beit-Cure Children’s Hospital of Zambia (BCH Zambia) is a place of hope in South-Central Africa. Specializing in pediatric surgical care, the hospital provides charitable, life-changing surgeries. Since 2006, BCH Zambia has provided more than 26,000 surgeries, correcting conditions ranging from lower-limb deformities and ailments to congenital orthopedic conditions, burn contractures, and untreated trauma that could become permanent, life-limiting disabilities if left untreated.

TRIMEDX Foundation has supported BCH Zambia since 2013, sending 40 volunteers over 15 medical mission trips. In 2024, Tim McGeath, Chairman of the TRIMEDX Foundation Board of Directors, joined the volunteer team and witnessed first-hand the need for critical upgrades to the hospital’s operating theater. Upon his return, Tim organized the TRIMEDX Foundation Grants Committee to approve a $25,000 grant, in addition to a $10,000 grant gifted on behalf of his household to complete the $35,000 operating theater upgrade.

“It felt like an adrenaline shot," Tim said. “Seeing the kids at the clinic and the impact we have on their health outcomes has given me a clearer focus on what we’re doing at the Foundation.

The grant project, completed earlier this year, had three objectives: supporting patient flow, infection control, and increasing operational efficiency to meet the Health Professions Council of Zambia’s regulatory requirements.

Pictured above: BCH's Post-Anesthesia Care Unit before (left) and after (right) including the added bed space and Matron's office viewing window.

To address critical challenges identified by TRIMEDX Foundation facilities maintenance volunteers and through SafeCare assessments, the hospital reconfigured the surgical wing layout to better utilize the space and increase efficiency. Converting an office into a storeroom and changing an existing storeroom into a new office space created space for an additional two Post-Anesthesia Care Unit beds and situated the new office space next to the operating theater, allowing observation through a monitoring window. By creating a new patient exit, redirecting staff access to the operating theater, and adding aluminum partitions to doctor’s workstations, the hospital improved infection control measures. Upgrades to the patient waiting room enhanced comfort for patients and families by adding a roof extension over the widened and extended walkways and air conditioning.

“It’s amazing how limited funds can impact patient safety and healthcare outcomes,” said Kelley Jacobsen, TRIMEDX Foundation board member. “Seeing the impact we have on individuals and entire communities we serve makes me proud to be part of this organization.”

Pictured above: Tim McGeath visiting patients at BCH Zambia.

The TRIMEDX Foundation is a nonprofit organization dedicated to ingenuity, integrity, collaboration, and dignity. We support medical equipment and facility maintenance and repair in underserved communities by developing sustainable and equitable partnerships through innovation, education, and engagement. For more information on volunteer opportunities, please visit our website, www.trimedxfoundation.org