A Framework for Assessing Healthcare Facilities in Low-Resource Settings: Field Studies in Benin and Uganda
Licia Di Pietro, Davide Piaggio, Iyabosola Busola Oronti, Alessia Maccaro, Roland C. Houessouvo, Daton Médénou, Carmelo De Maria, Leandro Pecchia, Arti Ahluwalia
Abstract
Abstract Purpose The aim of this paper is to present and validate a framework for assessing healthcare facilities in low-resource settings to collect evidence and inform policies on the harmonisation, regulation and contextualised design of medical devices. Methods A literature review and focus groups with several experts of medical device design, clinical engineering, health technology assessment and management, allowed the creation of a protocol, comprising two parts: a semi-structured interview and electrical safety measures. Results Three hospitals were assessed in Benin and three in Uganda. All the health centres resulted to be facing typical challenges for low-resource settings, including the lack of funding, expertise, a well-established maintenance program, spare parts and consumables, and unreliable power supplies. Conclusion As there is a paucity of information regarding low-resource settings, the proposed framework can be used by clinical or biomedical engineers to assess and thereby propose actions for improving the conditions of healthcare settings.