Innovating for global health: Study of healthcare technology failure in
                        southern Malawi

Taylor, Ashley R.; Muelenaer, P.; Kochersberger, Kevin; Muelenaer, Andre A.; Bickford, Lissett R.; Redican, Kerry J.

doi:10.1016/j.aogh.2016.04.575

Cited by 5 publications

(4 citation statements)

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“…The need for consumables (2.1) is number one in this domain and is positively correlated with the need for spare parts (2.2), the installation requirements (2.3), the maintenance complexity (2.4) and frequency (2.5). This stresses recurring problems reported in the literature, in which the lack of spare parts, consumables, and functional maintenance are very common [ 8 – 10 ].…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[ 6 , 7 ]. The literature highlights the main challenges for healthcare provision in low-resource settings to be: lack of funding, insufficient essential MDs [ 7 – 10 ], lack of specialised doctors [ 7 – 11 ], lack of biomedical engineers and technicians (who can maintain or repair MDs), and deficiency of spare parts/consumables [ 7 – 10 ]. Further, the situation and needs can change significantly between city centres and the periphery.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A framework for designing medical devices resilient to low-resource settings

et al. 2021

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Background To date (April 2021), medical device (MD) design approaches have failed to consider the contexts where MDs can be operationalised. Although most of the global population lives and is treated in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMCIs), over 80% of the MD market share is in high-resource settings, which set de facto standards that cannot be taken for granted in lower resource settings. Using a MD designed for high-resource settings in LMICs may hinder its safe and efficient operationalisation. In the literature, many criteria for frameworks to support resilient MD design were presented. However, since the available criteria (as of 2021) are far from being consensual and comprehensive, the aim of this study is to raise awareness about such challenges and to scope experts’ consensus regarding the essentiality of MD design criteria. Results This paper presents a novel application of Delphi study and Multiple Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) to develop a framework comprising 26 essential criteria, which were evaluated and chosen by international experts coming from different parts of the world. This framework was validated by analysing some MDs presented in the WHO Compendium of innovative health technologies for low-resource settings. Conclusions This novel holistic framework takes into account some domains that are usually underestimated by MDs designers. For this reason, it can be used by experts designing MDs resilient to low-resource settings and it can also assist policymakers and non-governmental organisations in shaping the future of global healthcare.

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Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A framework for designing medical devices resilient to low-resource settings

et al. 2021

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“…However, if this had been the main and only problem, donations would have been a solution [5]. In this regard, WHO estimates that more than 80% of medical equipment in LMICs is donated [6], but only 10-30% of this is operating [7], due to the lack of spare parts [8], of specialized personnel [9,10], of a good maintenance and management systems [5,11] and for the harsh environmental conditions.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A Framework for Assessing Healthcare Facilities in Low-Resource Settings: Field Studies in Benin and Uganda

et al. 2020

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The aim of this paper is to present and validate a framework for assessing healthcare facilities in low-resource settings to collect evidence and inform policies on the harmonisation, regulation and contextualised design of medical devices. Methods A literature review and focus groups with several experts of medical device design, clinical engineering, health technology assessment and management, allowed the creation of a protocol, comprising two parts: a semi-structured interview and electrical safety measures. Results Three hospitals were assessed in Benin and three in Uganda. All the health centres resulted to be facing typical challenges for low-resource settings, including the lack of funding, expertise, a well-established maintenance program, spare parts and consumables, and unreliable power supplies. Conclusion As there is a paucity of information regarding low-resource settings, the proposed framework can be used by clinical or biomedical engineers to assess and thereby propose actions for improving the conditions of healthcare settings.

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“…In addition, surveys conducted in sub-Saharan Africa reveal that only about 10-30% of such donated ME becomes functional [5]. Various reasons, such as lack of expertise, knowledge, and spare parts, have been associated with poor integration of ME into the healthcare infrastructure of developing countries [6]. Donations have the potential to dramatically improve access to healthcare in resource-poor settings, especially in the case of global crises.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainability challenges in medical equipment donations to low- and middle-income countries

Ojo

2024

Academia Engineering

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Innovating for global health: Study of healthcare technology failure in southern Malawi

Cited by 5 publications

References 0 publications

A framework for designing medical devices resilient to low-resource settings

A framework for designing medical devices resilient to low-resource settings

A Framework for Assessing Healthcare Facilities in Low-Resource Settings: Field Studies in Benin and Uganda

Sustainability challenges in medical equipment donations to low- and middle-income countries

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