Kyambogo University Students Repair Hospital Equipment
Over 30 Kyambogo University students and alumni from the Department of Mechatronics and Biomedical
Engineering on October 19 to 21, 2019 visited, repaired and calibrated hospital equipment in Apac Hospital
and Lira Regional Referral hospital.
The equipment that was repaired included Wall sockets, Tubes, theatre machines like anesthesia machine, autoclave, oxygen machines, Diathermy machine, patient trolleys, oxygen concentrators, suction machines, operating tables, and nebulizers among others.
This was as a result of the assessment that was done by Francis Moses Ocen, the Association President in
June where he observed that so many machines were dysfunctional while others were not working as per the
International Standards Organization (ISO).
“From the internships, we have had countrywide, we have realized that machines are not functioning”, He noted.
They also donated oxygen regulators, filters, tubes, sockets, solenoid valves, thermostat, humidifier bottles
and a programming board of about 2m, among others.
In addition to that, given that 70% of medical equipment failure in Africa is normally due to user error, they also
conducted user training to reduce medical equipment failure normally due to user error and ignorance.
Dr. Steven Obbo, the Hospital Director, Lira Regional Referral Hospital thanked Kyambogo University for the
intervention; he confirmed that the equipment was now working after a long time of lying idle.
Francis Moses Ocen, a third-year student of Bachelor of Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering who is also
the President of the Kyambogo University Mechatronics and Biomedical Engineering Students Association said
the camp was a success and greatly impacted the students by equipping them with skills and imparting in
the confidence to handle hospital machines.
He was happy that the community in the served hospitals can now access better health care through improved and
safe medical equipment that was delivered during the camp.
He applauded Kyambogo University for the support rendered to them and for giving them the opportunity to
run the camp and serve the nation.
He also recognized SINO Africa medicines and health limited for partnering with them for this noble cause.
He appealed to Kyambogo University to facilitate the sustainability of this program so that it is continuous
and implored different health facilities to continuously collaborate with them by giving them the opportunity to
conduct the camp in their facilities.