May 22 - July 24, 2022
Training: Kigali, Rwanda
May 22 - June 19
Hospital Placements
June 20 - July 22
Final Conference: Kigali, Rwanda
July 23 - 24
Dates and details subject to change based on evolving COVID-19 situations and related travel restrictions in each host country.
The Summer Institute in Rwanda trains and places up to 22 program participants to assist 10 hospitals with critical medical device repairs and other services. Participants begin with a month in Kigali taking tailored courses at IPRC Kicukiro in both biomedical equipment and Kinyarwanda, to prepare participants for effective communication in the hospitals and around town. IPRC now runs EWH's BMET Training program in Rwanda, so Summer Institute participants work with the BMET students on an EWH Kit build and on other activities.
Our university partner, Texas A&M University, provides instruction on common medical devices and methods for making repairs in Rwanda. The Rwanda program also offers a focus on design and innovation with lectures on appropriate design. After the first month of training, students begin work with an EWH partner hospital in groups of two or three. Participants are typically housed in either homestays or guesthouses near the hospital.
The Rwanda program offers participants an immersive cultural and clinical experience. Participants have the unique opportunity to work closely with trained BMETs who are employed at all partner hospitals. Although these technicians have received a high level of training, they are burdened with an overload of work and limited resources. Summer Institute participants work closely with Rwandan BMETs and medical staff to make equipment repairs, execute trainings, install equipment, and perform other engineering duties for the hospitals. Participants also perform innovation exercises such as shadowing and interviewing key hospital staff.
| 2019 Rwanda Program Report |
Rwanda Program Photos |
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Participant Blogs
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To see more photos, vist our Flikr account by clicking here. |