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Biomedical Engineers Want EAC Standards For Medical Devices Harmonized

Biomedical and clinical engineers under their umbrella organisation, Uganda National Association of Medical and Hospital Engineers (UNAMHE) who convened for the 2nd Biomedical conference from 7th to 8th Nov 2019 at Africana hotel, have urged all stakeholders in the health sector to fast truck harmonization of standards for medical devices across all the East Africa Community region to enable efficient access to quality equipment and maintenance services.

The Head of Department, instrumental Division, Uganda Industrial Research Institute, Philips Nagaju Makobire, who also doubled as Chair Uganda National Biomedical Engineering Conference (UNBEC) says that since the work of biomedical and clinical engineers has direct impact on improving people’s lives through design and development of appropriate medical devices, there is need to prioritize regulatory aspects in implementation of medical technology.

“… there is need to have appropriate preventive and corrective maintenance within hospitals. Regulatory aspects are critical to enhance efficient access to equipment and maintenance,” Makobire said.

The theme of the  conference is “Building a resilient biomedical engineering infrastructure towards vision 2040″

Engineer Vicente Ocwo Okie, the President of Uganda Institute of Practicing Engineers (UIPE) who was the Guest of honour called up all practicing engineers to become members of UIPE if they are to professionally practice as health engineers.

“If you have to practice as engineer, you must become a Corporate member of UIPE even before registering with the regulatory authority,” he said.

Dr. John Okwonzi, the keynote speaker said that after a need assessment on biomedical engineering, the curriculum based on the needs on the ground was recommended and after implementation into the curriculum, there has been an increase in graduates in the field which he says has solved many new challenges in hospitals.

“Government program on biomedical engineering have produced graduates who are hopeful and will manage futurist medical infrastructure in Uganda and the region. It’s an improved health output. We need to harness the 4th Industrial revolution technology to create a resilient health system,” he said.

By Drake Nyamugabwa

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