Ensuring donated biomedical equipment remains in good working order requires access to spare parts and consumables, and biomedical engineers and technicians with the skills to provide ongoing maintenance and repairs. This was the impetus for a recent mission trip organized in partnership with the TriMedX Foundation.

Advancing access to essential medical technology is a crucial component of the shared mission of Solidarity Bridge and Puente de Solidaridad. Our experience this week has proven to be a great opportunity to advocate for the international and local sharing of experience, building capacity, and reducing existing resource gaps.

In Bolivia, biomedical engineering is a new and emerging field. Our partner hospitals in Cochabamba have requested assistance and training from biomedical engineers specialized in the repair of X-ray equipment.

In the OR machines power our surgical tools, provide vision where our eyes cannot see, and function as a bypass for our most crucial organs, but as with all mechanical equipment, attentive maintenance overseen by well-trained professionals, is necessary to keep these machines functioning safely.