Biomedical engineering technologist (BMET) curriculum and programme development in Zambia

Zambia, like many other countries in Sub-Saharan Africa, faces significant challenges managing and maintaining its medical equipment. Within Ministry of Health (MoH) hospitals, there is a significant shortage of qualified biomedical engineering professionals (technicians, technologists and engineers) to perform these vital functions and there are currently no programmes in Zambia to produce these professionals. The curriculum was developed for a three-year biomedical engineering technologist (BMET) diploma programme at a leading technical college in Zambia. This process engaged a wide variety of stakeholders within Zambia and biomedical engineering experts from abroad. The curriculum was approved by Zambia´s technical and vocational training authority in late 2011 and planning is underway to commence the programme in 2013. Many lessons have been learned throughout the process.