Medical machine is needed at Murray Bridge hospital – here’s how you can help

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A Sozo machine enables early detection of and treatment for lymphoedema, a build-up of fluid in the body, and early detection can lead to better health outcomes.

The machine is considered the gold standard in measuring lymphatic fluid in the body, and the Murray Bridge Hospital is in sore need of one.

Fortunately, you can help – we’ll get to that in a moment.

Annie Williams, the McGrath breast care nurse at the Murray Bridge hospital, said having a Sozo machine would mean that locals wouldn’t have to travel to Adelaide to use one.

“The RAH, St Andrew’s (Hospital) and Flinders (Medical Centre) have one of these, and the information is transferable between them,” she said.

As a lymphoedema specialist, Ms Williams would be responsible for operating a Sozo machine at the hospital, as well as training other clinicians in its use.

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One advantage of getting tested on a Sozo machine, she was, was that it only took around 20 seconds.

“It’s fast, easy and accurate,” she said.

“Clients can stand, and if they aren’t very mobile, I can get them to sit and use the machine.

“The machine does unilateral or bilateral limbs and does arms and legs; some of the old machines would only do one.”

Here’s how you can help the hospital get a Sozo machine

Ms Williams said a Sozo machine cost around $17,000.

Thanks to several community groups who have raised funds for purchasing one in Murray Bridge – Sunshiners, Murray Bridge Rotary Club, Murray Bridge Lions, Soroptimist International and Neighbourhood Watch – there is only around $2500 left to raise.

To that end, Bridge Patches and Quilters will hold a quilt exhibition on July 21 and 22 to help raise money for the purpose.

The exhibition, Emergence, will be held at John Dohler Hall, at 31 Swanport Road, Murray Bridge, from 10am to 4pm each day.

Admission will be $5; morning and afternoon tea and lunch will be available; and there will be a quilt shop, raffle and trading table.

All proceeds from the exhibition will go to Sunshiners for the new Sozo machine, which will be kept at Country Health Connect, adjoining the hospital.

Patches and Quilters’ Sue Job said the exhibition would be worth seeing.

“We’re hoping for at least 50 quilts,” she said.

“We’ve got lots of charity quilts we can display, because we give them to Catherine House.

“We’ll have a site at Murray Bridge Marketplace, selling raffle tickets, on the 18th and 19th, too.”

Ms Williams was grateful for all the fundraisers’ efforts.

“It’s groups like the quilting group that make it possible to purchase equipment for the community,” Ms Williams said.

“These groups raise awareness for the services we have, and it means people can have services here, so it makes it easier and affordable.”

• More information about the exhibition: Call Sue on 0410 968 437 or Erica on 0432 351 316.

Locals support locals. Your support helps Murray Bridge News tell important local stories.