Carbon neutral ultrasound system from Canon Medical helps
obstetrics & gynaecology patients in UK, plus improves lives in Africa
Two new Aplio a-series ultrasound systems have been installed into Derriford Hospital, part of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust, to assist with obstetric and gynaecological patient examinations. At the same time, the ultrasound systems’ carbon footprint, taking into account manufacturing, packaging, shipping and average energy usage for the standard lifetime, has been offset by Canon Medical to a high impact project in Uganda and Kenya.
The new ultrasound systems will help the clinical team at Derriford Hospital make informed decisions about patient cases. Simultaneously, people in rural villages of East Africa will be helped by improved cooking-stove and water borehole projects. These schemes have huge healthcare and sustainability impacts to the individuals involved and the wider world. For example, new energy saving cooking stoves mean a 50% reduction in firewood, cutting carbon emissions by 3 tonnes while also reducing indoor smoke that has serious long-term health implications on families.
“Having come from East Africa, I know first-hand how important it is to invest in these countries and help them develop,” states Dr Umesh Acharya, Consultant at University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. “Canon Medical’s Made for Life initiative not only helps to reduce the carbon footprint of the countries they work with on sustainability projects, but also helps by making communities self-sufficient, improving education for the young and looking after the old.”
He continues, “The installation of our new Aplio a-series ultrasound systems is therefore a win-win solution for all the world. We continue to help our patients, and we also play a part in making a better life for people in developing nations. I am delighted to be associated with a company that is working to make a better world.”
Canon Medical has been running its Carbon Zero programme since 2014 and is still the only UK medical equipment provider to be ‘carbon neutral’ meeting all PAS 2060 requirements by the British Standards Institute, and has gained official partner status from the United Nations’ Division for Sustainable Development Goals. Carbon offset metrics are calculated and monitored by a specialist carbon zero partner and verified by Gold Standard for Global Goals developed by World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) or United Nations’ Division for Sustainable Development Goals approved auditor.
“Carbon neutral ultrasound systems is one small step of a giant leap forward in raising the issues of climate change and environmental crisis,” states Tim Palarm, Ultrasound Account Manager at Canon Medical Systems UK. “We have a corporate responsibility to lead by example in putting the environment first in our commercial consciousness. Canon Medical is unique in the medical imaging marketplace by combining clinically robust and proven systems for improving healthcare, with an ethical approach to making a difference to the future of the plant.”
Photo caption: Canon Medical Systems UK hands over the Aplio ultrasound systems and Carbon Offset certificate to Derriford Hospital, part of University Hospitals Plymouth NHS Trust. Pictured (L to R): Dr Umesh Acharya, Consultant at Derriford Hospital; Tim Palarm, Ultrasound Regional Manager at Canon Medical Systems UK.