Skip to main content

TechMed Summer School

3 – 6 July 2023

Programme Wednesday 5 July 2023

TECHMED & GLOBAL HEALTH
The role of medical technology in increasing global access to healthcare

Time: 9:00 – 17:00 & evening program
Chairs: Prof. dr. Jenny Dankelman & Roos Oosting, PhD

Opportunities and challenges of bringing technology to healthcare in developing countries will be discussed by international speakers.

This programme is preliminary.

Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday

9:00-9:10 

Welcome

Prof. dr. Jenny Dankelman, Roos Oosting

We will kick-off this day on Technology for Global Health by giving some background on why Medical Technology plays such an important role in Global Health and all the different angles of this topic that we will discuss during the day. We will also explain the set-up of the day and prepare the participants for their role during the canvas/brainstorming sessions of the afternoon. We will start with a round to ask what each participant hopes to gain from this day.

9:10-9:40 

Technology used in rural surgery

Dr. Ganaraj

 (online presentation)

During the first part of the morning program usage of medical technology will be explored in different settings, firstly technology used in Rural Surgery programs. And secondly, medical professionals working for the Female Cancer Foundation will describe their experiences in using medical technology in see and treat programs in various NGO healthcare settings. This will provide participants with insights on the great need for technology but will also reveal barriers to availability and sustainable usage over time.

9:40-10:10 

Technology used in NGO settings 

Dr. Marlieke de Fouw / Dr. Jogchum Beltman

10:10-10:40 

Biomedical Engineering for Global Health TU Delft 

Prof. dr. Jenny Dankelman & Roos Oosting, PhD

Prof. Jenny Dankelman and Asst. Prof Roos Oosting will present their work in the field of Biomedical Engineering for Global Health. Goal is to explain the role that biomedical engineers and healthcare professionals can play in increasing access to functioning medical equipment that facilitates safe and effective healthcare practices across the world. Latest research findings, examples of ongoing projects on development of context-specific equipment for minimally invasive surgery, training and sterilization will be given. And in addition, we will explore routes for increasing the biomedical engineering capacity in low- and middle-income countries, for example by the two Massive Online Open Courses (MOOCs), that are available via the TU.

10:40-11:00

Break

11:00-11:20 

An improved and reusable vacuum extractor

Drs. Dieuwertje Drexhage

LAYCO Medical Devices is a spin-off from the TU Delft, dedicated to make reusable medical devices that reduce the CO2 footprint and improve global access to healthcare. Currently, LAYCO focusses on the development of a reusable vacuum extractor. Vacuum extraction is utilized during prolonged or obstructed second-stage of labor. In the Netherlands, this procedure is used in approximately 7% of all deliveries, whereas it is used in less than 1% of the deliveries in Sub-Saharan Africa. The availability of a reusable vacuum extractor is vital in improving access to vacuum extraction. The reusable character leads to lower import and transportation costs, a reduced price/usage, and a decreased dependence on the supply chain. Moreover, the use of a reusable vacuum extractor globally results in a reduction in CO2 emissions. By using different pricing strategies for High-Income and Low- and Middle-Income Countries, LAYCO is able to build a financially sound company.

11:20-11:40 

Presentation Lifebox + introduction to canvas session

Gauri Singh

Lifebox will present their work on enhancing safe surgery in LMICs by implementing the safe surgery checklist as well as their work on a operating theatre light for rural settings and a challenge for the participants to work on.

11:40-12:00 

Presentation Unifix Care + introduction to canvas session

Gerard van Smeden

Unifix Care will present their route from University (TU Delft) to start-up and their work on durable instrument sets for hospitals in LMICs and a challenge for the participants to work on.

12:00-13:00

Lunch break

13:00-14:00 

Canvas session

Roos Oosting, PhD

The participants will be distributed over 6 groups (2 groups per challenge) to discuss and brainstorm the challenge that was brought in by the participating companies. Each group will be moderated either by one of our organization team (Jenny, Roos, 3 graduate students) or employees of the companies (layco, lifebox & unifix). We will provide a printed canvas for the participants to steer the discussion and to ensure that the groups will eventually provide some practical solutions for the companies.

14:00-14:20

Break

14:20-15:00 

Pitches and discussion

Each group has 3 min to pitch their solutions to the challenge and there will be 7 min room for discussion afterwards.

15:00-15:30 

Equitable partnerships and collaboration in global health

Speaker to be announced

15:30-16:00  

Discussion  

Roos Oosting, PhD

16:00-16:30

Movie ‘Right to Heal’

This documentary gives a clear overview of why the need for global surgery is so high and urgent.

16:30

Closing

We will end the day with a round amongst the participants what they gained from this day and what was the most important thing they learned. 

17:00

Drinks

TechMed Summer School at Leiden

Are you looking for an inspiring Summer School, combining Technical and Medical Science?

  • 3 – 6 July 2023

  • LUMC, Leiden The Netherlands
Registration