The biomedical program includes creating an inventory of medical and lab equipment, establishing a Preventive Maintenance and Inspection Program for the equipment and developing (and requiring) spare parts and reagent budgets.

Our friends at the DAK Foundation are co-funding this important program. We are funding an on-site biomedical apprentice / technician / engineer at each partner location to implement the program.

The RBE will train and mentor the on-site biomedical hires during quarterly visits. GFF is also developing video training guides for core biomedical equipment - local biomedical technicians will be trained using these modules. The on-site biomedical hires report directly to the respective GFF RBE and have a “dotted line” reporting to a local manager.

Alain Binamungu, currently our lead biomedical technician for Burundi and DRC, is being promoted to Lead Biomedical Technician - French speaking countries effective May 1, 2021 and will serve as the RBE for TOGO and Madagascar. Alain has several years’ experience supporting NICUs and Operating Rooms in referral hospitals in Bujumbura and the DRC. This will be very helpful in the development of a biomedical program that includes the referral hospitals in the health systems supported by Integrate Health and PIVOT. The DAK Foundation biomedical engineer, located in Burundi, will provide support to GFF partner hospitals and clinics in Burundi and the DRC when Alain is travelling as the RBE for TOGO and Madagascar.

Deborah Aloyo, our Manager of Biomedical Programs & Operations, will serve as the RBE for the 3 clinic, Health Post Project being implemented in Rwanda by Health Builders. Denis Mukiibi, who recently joined GFF as our biomedical engineer responsible for Uganda and Kenya, will assume the RBE role for Tanzania and Malawi.

We have hired biomedical apprentices / technicians for the Van Norman Clinic in Bujumbura, Burundi, Nundu Deaconess Hospital in Nundu, DRC and Integrate Health in TOGO. We are currently in negotiations with a biomedical engineer to support PIVOT in Madagascar and hope to conclude a contract by April 15, 2021.

We thank the DAK Foundation for their support of this important program.

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