Benin / Cameroon / Cote d’Ivoire / Egypt / Ethiopia / Libya / Senegal / Sudan / Zambia German medical technology company improves dialysis care in Africa

Many hospitals on the African continent are currently unable to provide adequate care for patients with kidney disease; in some countries, there is even a complete lack of appropriate treatment options. The main reason is the high cost associated with setting up and operating dialysis centres. Dialysis clinics require a cost-intensive technical infrastructure, continuous maintenance and permanently available disposables.

With its medical technology products, B. Braun Avitum AG offers proven, high-quality solutions for dialysis that are trusted by millions of people worldwide. Emerging countries on the African continent also represent an interesting market for the German company. However, market entry is hampered by the often limited experience of doctors, nurses and technicians with modern dialysis systems. The successful use of these devices depends on the availability of sufficiently qualified specialist personnel who can operate and maintain them safely. The lack of adequate provision has a considerable impact on the quality of life of the patients concerned. Improved training in the field of modern dialysis is therefore in the interests of both the company and the patients.

In order to impart missing knowledge and pave the way for modern dialysis care, B. Braun, with the support of DEG Impulse, has developed training courses for nursing staff and technicians on operating and maintaining modern dialysis machines made by B. Braun. In special training modules, which have been integrated into or added to existing training and study programmes wherever possible, nursing staff have learned, for example, how to monitor error messages and alarms, and correctly set parameters such as body temperature, blood pressure or blood flow rate. Among other things, technicians have been trained in replacing pumps and sensors, or in carrying out software updates. In this way, they can ensure long-term trouble-free operation and prevent premature wear of the devices.

With a budget of EUR 5.4 million, the project partners implemented the following measures in Benin, Cameroon, Côte d'Ivoire, Egypt, Ethiopia, Libya, Senegal, Sudan, Zambia and the Seychelles:

• Development of training modules for nursing staff and technicians
• Construction and technical equipment of training rooms
• Training and certification of local trainers and so-called ‘power trainers’ at local sales partners
• Qualification of technicians at local sales partners and further training of nursing staff
• Development and implementation of an e-learning and online training platform for targeted support of in-person training
• Identification of local government partners for subsequent financing of the programme

DEG Impulse supported the project financially and provided advice on implementation in the countries. With this develoPPP project, DEG Impulse is supporting a long-standing DEG partner that previously received funding for the expansion of dialysis centres in Angola via the ImpactConnect programme. 

The project enabled B. Braun to break down barriers to entering the dialysis technology market in ten African countries and create a basis for dialysis treatment in these countries. In order to ensure long-term success, B. Braun concluded co-operation agreements with hospitals, educational institutions and its local sales partners and established important contacts in the partner countries. At the hospitals and educational institutions, doctors, nurses and technicians are now learning everything they need to know to ensure the long-term medical care of dialysis patients. Thanks to the new specialist staff, more people with kidney damage can now receive appropriate dialysis treatment locally and a contribution has been made to reducing mortality from kidney disease.

• 35 local trainers and 5 local power trainers have been qualified and certified by sales partners
• 6,742 specialists, including 5,317 in the medical field and 1,425 technicians, can now operate and maintain the machines independently  
• 17,144 patients from ten African countries have access to (improved) dialysis treatment