Biomed StopGap

The state of biomedical technical support at Mulago continues to be an issue, thought small, tangible improvements are being made.

In an effort to support equipment donations we have been working with BMEs from several universities to try and coordinate efforts to teach and maintain equipment, especially that which we (visiting groups) are leaving behind.

The biomedical engineering technicians at Mulago are using the "biomed repair" room created by Duke/GPAS Engineer Ike a few months back. When I arrived Mulago biomed technician Daniel was working to salvage parts from broken propaqs and was able to successfully repair 4 units.

According to senior Mulago BME Edward Kataaha, the biomed tech room in the main theatre has offloaded 80% of the requests he gets for repairs in the main workshop. I would speculate based on observations that most of those requests wouldn't get addressed by the main BME workshop for a number of logistical reasons.

So the biomed room - as a stopgap, is working. The next step for the room is to get a computer so the technicians will be able to update the inventory (including broken equipment and parts needed) and keep an electronic database of repair manulas. Ike and Gerald will be bringing this out in a couple weeks and the BMETs at Mulago are working to wire the internet.

As for the next step for biomed in Uganda - this is unclear. Makerere is hoping to create a BME degree program while Kyambogo University is hoping to start a diploma/technical program as well as a degree level program. The first steps are being taken to link these two groups as sharing the already limited BME academic resources in Uganda will be a major challenge. Going from zero to three programs in a country with virtually no BMEs is going to be interesting. Several outside universities are interested though communication among everyone continues to be a big challenge.

This month Kyambogo will hear about a grant from the MOH for the degree program and hopefully some dialogue will begin between the various parties.

The next BME visit will be in 4 weeks.
I will post the list of broken equipment, needed parts and tools soon.