© action medeor / E. J. Rutahiwa Info © action medeor / E. J. Rutahiwa Tanzania Completed Malawi Establishment and operation of two training centers for medical engineering Programs Medical devices play a crucial role in healthcare worldwide and are indispensable for the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. A study by the World Health Organization shows that 70% of all existing medical technology in sub-Saharan Africa is not functional. The reasons for this are manifold: from a lack of knowledge about the operation and maintenance of the equipment, a lack of financial resources in the hospitals, a lack of infrastructure or unsuitable equipment for the local conditions. Another problem is that training opportunities in the field of medical engineering are inadequate in many countries in sub-Saharan Africa, meaning that many hospital technicians (electricians, plumbers) are not trained in medical devices. The mere availability of medical devices at healthcare facilities is therefore not enough to improve local healthcare services in the long term. With the establishment of the two action medeor branches as pharmaceutical wholesalers in Tanzania and Malawi, the availability of quality-tested medicines and medical consumables has been successfully improved in Tanzania since 2004 and in Malawi since 2015. In 2018, the distribution of medical technology also began on a small scale in Tanzania. However, in order to achieve a sustainable improvement in healthcare, the distribution of medical technology must be closely linked to installation, service and capacity building (training for hospitals). Since October 2020, action medeor has been working in Tanzania and Malawi to build capacity in the field of medical technology. The project is helping to counteract the shortage of trained medical and laboratory technicians and specialists in health supply chain management. This training of specialist staff is implemented through the establishment and operation of one Health Technology Training Center (HTTC) in Tanzania and one in Malawi. Through the HTTCs, more than 500 technicians receive improved specialist knowledge and are able to operate medical equipment properly, comply with appropriate quality and safety standards and carry out routine maintenance and minor repairs independently. In the long term, hospitals will be able to make better use of their technology. This leads directly to an improvement in diagnosis and treatment options for the patients of the participating hospitals. Project descriptionProject Goal: Improving diagnostic and treatment capabilities in Tanzanian and Malawian healthcare facilities through capacity building of healthcare personnel in the field of medical technology.Project Focus: Medical technology, training and educationTarget Group: Over 500 technicians from local healthcare facilities in Malawi and Tanzania will benefit from this project.Project Area: Kibaha, Tanzania and Blantyre, MalawiProject Activities: Establishment and equipping of two Health Technology Training Centers (HTTCs) with a training workshop and seminar room Training of 6 staff members to become trainers in medical technology, laboratory technology, and health supply chain management (Training of the Trainers) Conducting health technology training sessions at the HTTCs for at least 450 participants (medical technicians, lab technicians, health supply chain managers) On-the-job training in at least 15 hospitals for a minimum of 50 technicians Ongoing service and repair of medical equipment through action medeor branches South-South exchange between action medeor International Healthcare gGmbH and action medeor Medical Aid Organization Malawi in Germany, Tanzania, and Malawi Piloting of a digital remote maintenance service via the Re-flekt Remote App Covid-19 Response Fund: Financial relief through the donation of medications and consumables to at least 50 needy hospitals in Tanzania and Malawi Donation of equipment to hospitals, such as oxygen concentrators and operating room equipment Project Duration: October 2020 – March 2024Financial Volume: 1,980,591 EurosPartner Organisation: action medeor International Healthcare GmbH, action medeor Medical Aid Organization MalawiFunding: develoPPP.de program of the BMZ implemented by DEGProject Number: 7000149 Your contact person Sandra Boermann Program Manager Sierra Leone Phone: +49 2156 9788-138 TPL_EMAIL This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.