Zambia
2002 – 2009
In 2002 MeduProf-S commenced a program which included clinical training in x-ray and ultrasound as well as a rehabilitation program of the medical imaging education in Zambia. Both programs were part of an ORET project executed by Philips Medical Systems.
In these programs MeduProf-S was responsible for the ultrasound and x-ray user skills training for the staff of approximately 60 hospitals. To guarantee the sustainability of the education MeduProf-S assisted the institution responsible for Radiography training, Evelyn Hone College, to improve their existing Radiography Diploma curriculum.
To enable training to be conducted at an optimal level a training centre including a skills-lab, with ultrasound and x-ray equipment, library with internet facilities and a fully equiped classroom was designed and built by the staff and partners of MeduProf-S and Philips Medical Systems.
The courses in this project have included:
Train the trainer ultrasound course
The objective of this course was to familiarise the selected trainers with the supplied equipment and teach them didactical skills.
Application and clinical training ultrasound courses (15 courses)
The objective of this program was to teach basic skills in ultrasound to the currently available direct users i.e. Medical Officers, Radiographers, and Midwives and teach them the basic requirements of ultrasound in order to use the new equipment with optimal efficiency.
The content of the courses included:
- Introduction to the physical principles of ultrasound
- Methodical image acquisition
- Image recognition
- Image interpretation
- Familiarisation with the equipment
Operator and application training in radiography (10 courses)
The objective of these courses was to train the currently available radiographers the use of the new x-ray equipment i.e. the Multi-Radiography System and the Duo Diagnost, including associated film processing. Additionally, basic radiography skills (including radiation safety) were refreshed.
The content of the course included:
- Basic radiography application
- Quality assurance
- Image recognition
- Familiarisation with the equipment, including film-processing
- Basic radiation safety
- Management of radiology facilities (statistics/logistics)
With regard to the rehabilitation of the medical imaging education, the goal of this part of the project was the strengthening and modernisation of the program for the education of qualified radiographers and sonographers at the School of Radiography, Evelyn Hone College, according to international World Health Organisation standards.
The focus of the rehabilitation included:
- Coaching and advice to assist with the development of an improved curriculum and lesson materials for the School of Radiography staff to establish a revised diploma course.
- Creation of a logical connection with the short term training and outreach programs in order to have a sustained education of pre-qualified radiographers / sonographers in the country by MeduProf-S in cooperation with the Evelyn Hone College and University Teaching Hospital.
- Enhancement of the School of Radiogaphy’s teaching staff in an exchange program with Fontys University of Applied Sciences.
- Promote regional co-operation in Africa to share and exchange knowledge.