BHI hosts first international training at Biomedical Engineering Training Center in Kigali, Rwanda
In a significant milestone, Build Health International (BHI) recently welcomed participants from the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH) for its first international training session at the Biomedical Engineering Training Center in Kigali, Rwanda. Funded by UNOPS, this training marks the center’s growing role as a regional hub for medical oxygen education and capacity building.
Traditionally, BHI has supported capacity building through in-country visits with local biomedical and healthcare teams. The Training Center introduces a valuable alternative for situations where in-country oxygen infrastructure is not yet ready to support training, where exposure to a more established oxygen ecosystem would be beneficial, or when the country in need of support is a Challenging Operating Environment (COE).
BHI Biomedical Engineer, Jonas Twizeyimana, leading practical training at the center’s on-site PSA Plant.
From February 24-28, 2025, 18 biomedical engineers and technicians from Ethiopia gathered at the Kigali center to participate in a five-day PSA Plant Maintenance Training. Designed to strengthen Ethiopia’s capacity for sustainable oxygen generation, the program curriculum blended classroom instruction with hands-on practical sessions. Participants gained in-depth knowledge of pressure swing adsorption (PSA) plant operations, preventive maintenance, troubleshooting, and safety protocols.
The training was tailored to meet the needs identified by the Ethiopian MOH, with additional modules on installation verification and oxygen piping infrastructure. Notably, the sessions took place both at the well equipped training center in Kigali and at King Faisal Hospital, providing trainees with real-world exposure to PSA plants.
BHI Biomedical Engineer, Jean Christian Singirankabo Ujeneza, providing participants with hands-on training in the center’s biomedical engineering laboratory.
The Kigali Biomedical Engineering Training Center, established through partnerships with the Rwanda Biomedical Centre and Rwanda Polytechnic – Kigali College, and supported by the Skoll and Wagner Foundations, is steadily establishing itself as a key resource for medical oxygen training in the region. BHI’s investment in specialized equipment, including a PSA plant and soon-to-be-installed high-pressure oxygen booster compressors, positions the center to offer advanced technical training in the months ahead.
This milestone underscores BHI’s dedication to enabling sustainable health infrastructure and regional capacity building. As the Training Center continues to expand its offerings, the successful completion of its first international training is a testament to the power of cross-border collaboration in advancing healthcare resilience.