Sub-standard medical kits worries experts
BIOMEDICAL experts have bemoaned the substandard quality of imported medical equipment that has compromised healthcare delivery systems in Zambia.
Biomedical Engineering Association of Zambia (BEAZ) committee member Dr Chris Mol said one of the objectives of the association was to render support to Government in the regulation and procurement of appropriate medical equipment for effective support to the healthcare systems in Zambia.
Speaking at the launch of the association in Lusaka yesterday, Dr Mol said biomedical engineers had been forced to work with poor quality equipment that failed to sustain their usefulness in most public health facilities.
“There is need to provide quality medical equipment that will stand a test of time to support the medical sector in delivering quality healthcare services to the people,
“It is important that all medical equipment being procured by the Government must be tested to meet modern day medical standards as well as efficacy in the health services,” Dr Mol said.
He explained that there must be regulations to ensure medical experts were involved in the procurement process including the pre-testing, repair and maintenance of all medical equipment.
And Minister of Health Chitalu Chilufya has hailed he launch of BEAZ which would help keep in check their profession with their peers locally and internationally.
Dr Chilufya said the association should make it easier to form progressive links with the international fraternity of experts in the field.
“I hope this association will also reduce the high number of mushrooming business men who supply that which is substandard to be used on the local citizens, this practice must come to an end.
He said this in a speech read for him by clinical care expert at the Ministry of Health, Dr Richard Nsakanya.