Healthcare providers from public hospitals trained in Oxygen therapy

By The Inspirer writer.

About 68 healthcare providers from different public hospitals in Rwanda have been given the skills to help patients who need oxygen by using special machines (PSA medical oxygen plant).

It is a week-long training organized by Build Health International (BHI) with the aim of helping them learn how to provide better services by increasing the patient’s breathing and operating these machines when they have a problem.

Pacifique Murekatete who works at Gihundwe Hospital in Rusizi District as a Biomedical Technician, says that the training they received in using these machines will help them provide better services.

“Before receiving the training, we had no knowledge. Among the things we learn is maintenance. As we learn, these machines contain cylinders, oxygen bottles, I didn’t know that factory, but I saw it,” she said.

“The knowledge I had was very low in using the PSA oxygen plant, we used normal bottles, we gave the patients air we took from the outside […] But the plant is there, we could reduce the oxygen outside.” she added.

GodLee Muhirwa, a technician at Build Health International (BHI), says the training they provided will pay off.

“The training we have given to the workers at the different centers in the medical ventilation service will help them to monitor the health of the patient who needs ventilation and to operate the ventilation machines when they have a problem.” He said.

Andrew L. Johnston, Director of Medical Oxygen Education and Training at Build Health International (BHI), said they trained 69 technicians, 21 in the first week, 20 in the second week, and 28 in the third week.

He added that in preparing this training, they aimed to increase the knowledge of those who work in oxygen delivery services to doctors.

“We have prepared this training in order to help technicians and engineers working in different hospitals to have sufficient knowledge in using the machines that provide air, PSA medical oxygen plant.” He said.

“In the period of Covid-19, many oxygen machines were bought in Rwanda, which require important knowledge. As BHI because we have experience in these different machines, that is why we have trained these tennis players to take care of these machines. In collaboration with RBC, we have provided assistance in training technicians and engineers to use these machines.” He added.

RBC’s staff in charge of buildings and medical equipment, Francine UMUTESI, says that the knowledge the trainees have received, will help them to provide air at a reliable standard.

“We have 68 people who have received training, and we have collaborated with other institutions to do this work. In Biomedical engineering, it is a knowledge that heals in Rwanda, which is not possessed by everyone. The goal is that the patients of the hospital receive oxygen at a good level, which is accepted by international standards.

Build Health International (BHI) says it plans to continue training technicians and engineers at various hospitals to help patients.

Build Health International (BHI) partners with global health nonprofits working in fragile health systems to develop infrastructure solutions that elevate the quality and accessibility of healthcare worldwide.

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