title: Biomaterials use in Mulago National Referral Hospital in Kampala, Uganda: Access and affordability.
abstract: Students in Biomaterials BBE3102 at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda were assigned semester long group projects in the first semester of the 2014-15 academic year to determine the biomaterials type and usage in Mulago National Referral Hospital, which is emblematic of large public hospitals across East Africa. Information gathering was conducted through student interviews with Mulago physicians because there were no archival records. The students divided themselves into seven project groups covering biomaterials use in the areas of wound closure, dental and oral surgery, cardiology, burn care, bone repair, ophthalmology and total joint replacement. As in the developed world, the majority of biomaterials used in Mulago are basic wound closure materials, dental materials, and bone fixation materials, all of which are comparatively inexpensive, easy to store, and readily available from either the government or local suppliers; however, there were significant issues with the implant supply chain, affordability, and patient compliance and follow-up in cases where specialty expertise and expensive implants were employed.
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Bosco
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bakwatanisa
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Alfred
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Enywaku
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kiwanuka
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Claire
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Lamunu
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Nicholas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Mbowa
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Mukiibi
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Namayega
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Beryl
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ngabirano
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ntambi
authors.affiliation: Programme in Biomedical Engineering, Department of Physiology, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda.
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Reichert
mesh_terms: D001672:Biocompatible Materials / Q000191:economics* / Q000494:pharmacology*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000191:economics*; D006801:Humans; D007595:Joint Prosthesis; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures; D019736:Prostheses and Implants; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000191:economics*; D014454:Uganda; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
chemical_list: D001672:Biocompatible Materials
keywords: LMIC; biomaterial education; developing world; implant