Training Biomedical Engineers for Humanitarian Emergencies

Humanitarian emergencies, catalyzed in part by increased armed conflicts in many parts of the world, have resulted in the precious loss of life and strained or destroyed local health systems that are no longer capable of providing care to those who desperately need it [1]. At the same time, millions of people remain in refugee camps, slums, and informal settlements for decades with limited provisions for adequate and quality care. In addition to existing health challenges, these complex emergencies provide a fertile environment for the emergence of new pathogens that can impact communities and countries all around the world. For humanitarian emergencies and protracted crises, the need for terrain ready and robust diagnostics cannot be underestimated. At the same time, context-appropriate tools to diagnose and manage chronic diseases are also badly needed. Humanitarian agencies, working in these at-risk communities, are often in need of not just cash and medical supplies, but also require trained professionals [2] who are comfortable with technology, can innovate, and guide and train others in appropriate use of technology.