How we repaired the Acuson X128 ultrasound scanner

With duck tape of course!
A year ago, just after we arrived in Cyangugu, a medical container arrived at the dispensary run by the diocese. We are still working out the best way to use the equipment and it will take at least another year before this process is complete. Africa requires and develops patience.
The Acuson scanner did not work when it arrived, but we managed to determine that the monitor was broken (we could get a picture on a portable TV). After a few months a Siemens technician came, confirmed our diagnosis and went away. It took another few months before he sourced a second-hand part in Antwerp and another few weeks before we managed to get it here. Then customs held it for 2 weeks and charged $200 as a “waiver” for import duty!?
Last week, we had an American team visiting and among them was Sharon, a radiographer from Kansas. She had brought a complete set of tools and instructions from an engineer in the US, so we set to. It took us about 5 hours, disconnecting and reconnecting cables, but what an adrenaline rush when we switched on and the date appeared on the screen. It works! By prayer, skill, Sharon's preparation and luck, it works!! And yes, there is indeed duck tape inside it and around the screen, which is not quite the same size as the old one (well, we can’t exactly send it back).
Much of working life in Cyangugu like this. It’s unpredictable; projects start, go into limbo and then resurface; you end up tackling all kinds of work you would never dream of doing (nor be let near) at home. The joys and disappointments are all the greater because of it.