Biomedical Engineering and its Relevance to Total Health Care Delivery in Developing Countries

Aim: To highlight the importance of biomedical engineering, with respect to the many basic amenities including adequate water supply, electricity, drugs and medical equipment necessary for the proper functioning of medical doctors which are totally lacking in most developing countries. Method: Review of biomedical engineering and the implication of lack of its development in health care delivery. Result: While a properly organised and equipped traditional hospital engineering service may effectively provide for adequate water supply and electricity, as well as other ancillary services, the design, research and production or innovative and functional medical equipment fall under the basic function of biomedical engineering which is not yet constituted in most developing countries. Conclusion: For an effective, smooth?running, total health care delivery system especially in the developing countries, the importance of constituting, nurturing and development of the discipline of Biomedical Engineering cannot be over-emphasised. Consequently an objective, pragmatic and result?oriented policy geared towards training and manpower development ? both in academic research and applied production engineering relevant to optimal medical practice should be pursued with utmost vigour. Key Words: Bioengineering,Health Care Delivery, Bioinstrumentation,Developing Countries Journal of College of Medicine Vol.9(1) 2004: 54-58