This article is part of Devex's Healthy Access series

More than just the technology

However, simply providing the tool is not enough. Having people know how to use any new technology is vital to it realizing its potential, Rulisa said.

 

“[Previously] the government invested a lot of money in procuring ultrasound machines to put in different hospitals, but there was no training,” he said, explaining that while doctors could see the machines, they couldn’t use them.

 

To ensure that doctors can use ultrasound effectively and sustainably transfer ultrasound skills to other health care practitioners, local staff are trained with PURE, which has spearheaded an initiative to improve access to ultrasound technology. As part of the program, PURE collaborated with the Ministry of Health and local leaders in education.

 

Operating in Rwanda since 2011 to improve point-of-care education, PURE brought in experts from overseas to train the first cohort of emergency medicine residents and students from the University of Rwanda Medical School on point-of-care ultrasound.

However, simply providing the tool is not enough. Having people know how to use any new technology is vital to it realizing its potential, Rulisa said.

 

“[Previously] the government invested a lot of money in procuring ultrasound machines to put in different hospitals, but there was no training,” he said, explaining that while doctors could see the machines, they couldn’t use them.

 

To ensure that doctors can use ultrasound effectively and sustainably transfer ultrasound skills to other health care practitioners, local staff are trained with PURE, which has spearheaded an initiative to improve access to ultrasound technology. As part of the program, PURE collaborated with the Ministry of Health and local leaders in education.

 

Operating in Rwanda since 2011 to improve point-of-care education, PURE brought in experts from overseas to train the first cohort of emergency medicine residents and students from the University of Rwanda Medical School on point-of-care ultrasound.