Congo hospital to improve healthcare with CDMA2000 1xEV-DO
May 15, 2006
QUALCOMM announced it has made a commitment to provide a cash donation and CDMA2000 1xEV-DO service and devices for the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with Palomar Pomerado Health, which is announcing it has established a "sister" hospital relationship between the Mutombo hospital and its Pomerado hospital in Escondido, Calif.
This is the first new medical facility to be built in the Congo in nearly 40 years. EV-DO's 3G high-speed wireless technology will allow doctors to have quick access to patient information such as x-rays and CAT scans, as well as notify doctors immediately in case of an emergency. The 300-bed general hospital will include a pharmacy and serve the needs of the poorest residents in the outskirts of the capital city. Bringing a modern hospital facility to Kinshasa will greatly improve healthcare infrastructure and healthcare delivery systems throughout the Congo.
As a part of the Company's recently inaugurated Wireless Reach Initiative, QUALCOMM is providing an in-kind donation of 50 CDMA2000 1xEV-DO wireless devices and embedded laptops for use by the hospital staff. QUALCOMM also is donating $25,000 in cash to the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation for the purchase of medical software, service for the devices, additional devices and Information Technology training. CDMA2000 1xEV-DO wireless broadband technology will enable doctors to diagnose patients remotely and instantly through electronic access to patient information including medical records, vital signs, x-rays, CAT scans and other critical data.
"QUALCOMM is committed to helping African countries, and other countries worldwide, improve the delivery of healthcare via the usage of advanced 3G wireless technology," said Jeff Jacobs, president, global development at QUALCOMM. "We are honored to be working with the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation and Palomar Pomerado Health to help improve access to quality medical care in the Congo."
The Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital and Research Center is scheduled to open September 2, 2006.
The Dikembe Mutombo Foundation is dedicated to improving the health, education and quality of life for the people of the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Foundation strives to accomplish this goal through an emphasis on primary health care and disease prevention, the promotion of health policy, health research and increased access to health care and education for the people of the Congo.
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