July 2024

Oxygen Alliance Newsletter

We’re excited to share that our BME Konza mobile app has reached a significant milestone, with four versions released internally for testing. This app aims to support biomedical engineers by providing a platform to ask questions, share solutions, and access essential resources such as equipment manuals and maintenance videos. Feedback from internal users, including engineers from OpenO2 and the Global Health Innovation Initiative (GHII), has been invaluable. We are now preparing to test the app externally with engineers from Zambia, Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Liberia, Tanzania, and Malawi.

On June 23rd, we participated in the global celebration of International Women in Engineering Day, a day dedicated to recognising the extraordinary contributions of women in engineering fields around the world. This year’s theme, “Enhanced by Engineering,” highlighted the important role that women play in advancing technology and improving community well-being.

In honour of this occasion, the Oxygen Alliance was in attendance at the Women in Biomedical Engineering Day Conference (WIBEK) 2024, hosted by the Association of Medical Engineering of Kenya (AMEK). This event provided an excellent opportunity for women in biomedical engineering to connect, share experiences, discuss challenges, and form supportive networks with their peers. Key sessions included storytelling and panel discussions on leadership, mentorship, and career development, which highlighted women’s unique contributions to the field and outlined future initiatives to support their advancement.

“Being a biomedical engineer in Africa means embracing challenges as opportunities for innovation. In my journey so far, I have seen how adapting technologies to local contexts has allowed for new solutions that address unique healthcare needs, as well as insight into how existing technologies can be made better for all. Engineering is a field very close to my heart, and I believe it is at the heart of transforming healthcare outcomes across the continent.”

Mary Seifu, Biomedical Engineer, Ethiopia 

“Engineering makes the world your oyster, providing the tools to make a difference. As a woman in STEM, I’ve had the privilege to work in the health sector and witness the profound impact of our field on society, from maternal health to climate action. We are breaking boundaries, realizing our potential, and paving the way for future generations.” 

Daphne Magela, Biomedical Engineer, Malawi

“My engineering lecturer always asked us to prove concepts through ” first principles,” and with that, a lot of calculations would follow to validate various engineering principle that exist in our world. In my day today, I use this process at work to drive problem-solving initiatives that deliver operational rigor and excellence. This is how we add value  in our society by extension, finding solutions to problems as engineers.”

Elizabeth Olwande, HPM Operations, GE Healthcare

We recently hosted webinars such as “Respiratory Ecosystem Equipment: Deep Dive into Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP),” which explored innovations to improve patient outcomes and safety in respiratory care, and “Engineering Health Equity II: Shaping Uganda’s Healthcare Future,” which focused on strategies to bridge Uganda’s healthcare technology skills gap.

Looking ahead, we’re excited to launch our quarterly themed webinars, beginning with “In Focus,” a series focused on medical imaging technology. This initiative, supported by industry leaders such as GE Healthcare and Philips Healthcare, will provide comprehensive analyses and insights into the most recent advances, challenges, and opportunities in medical imaging, with the goal of encouraging greater understanding and innovation in this critical field.

Upcoming Webinar

Join us on August 8th for our webinar, “Embracing Diversity in Biomedical Engineering: Varied Experiences and Sectoral Integration with Insights from Across the Region.” This session features an inspiring panel of women leaders, including Christine Kibet (Kenya), Sheillah Bagayana (Uganda), Lozindaba Mwangilwa (Zambia), and Asmin Issa (Tanzania). They will share their unique journeys, discuss challenges they’ve overcome, and offer insights into sectoral integration in biomedical engineering.

Hear about their experiences navigating career pivots, developing crucial skills, and mentoring the next generation of engineers. This webinar will provide valuable perspectives on professional growth and the importance of diversity in our field. Don’t miss out!

Our new journal, Biomedical Engineering Systems and Technologies for Low- and Middle-Income Countries (BEST-LMIC), has officially launched with a stellar editorial board. We are currently accepting submissions and invite interested authors to contact us at editor@best-lmic.org for manuscript inquiries.

We are excited to introduce the Bi-Weekly Oxygen Alliance Digest, a publication designed to keep our community informed and engaged with the latest developments and innovations. Launched on July 16th, the digest offers concise updates on our projects, insights into cutting-edge biomedical practices, and announcements of upcoming events, aiming to connect our members with the pulse of the healthcare engineering field.

This initiative is not just a tool for information dissemination but also a platform for fostering collaboration and sharing knowledge across our network. As we shape this resource, we would love to hear from you. Your feedback and contributions will help us tailor the digest to better meet your needs and interests.