Lack of biomedical engineers; Medical equipment go waste

A Senior Lecturer at the School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences at the University of Ghana, Dr. Eric Kwasi Ofori, has revealed that 60% of Biomedical equipment in medical facilities in Ghana go waste due to lack of experts to procure, handle and manage the equipment.

According to him, research has shown that many health facilities in Ghana and other developing countries lack qualified Biomedical Engineers to professionally manage and repair break down biomedical equipment.

Dr. Ofori made these comments at the 3rd Annual Biomedical International Conference ongoing in Koforidua in the Eastern Region.

He further noted that many medical equipment procured and or imported into the country for improvement of healthcare have broken down for years without repairs due to lack of qualified Biomedical Engineers capable of servicing and repairing damaged equipment.

On his part, the Head of Biomedical Department at All Nations University College, Dr. Archibald Danquah- Amoah commended government for absorbing more Biomedical Engineers into the health sector, urging government to employ Biomedical Engineers into Polyclinics across the country to complement effective health delivery.