Student Spotlight: Chang-Lung Tsai's Internship at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital
- Dina Hassan
- Jun 5
- 2 min read
We are excited to highlight the recent achievements of Chang-Lung Tsai, one of our Master’s students, who spent 10 weeks at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) in Eldoret, Kenya. As the largest public hospital in Kenya and the largest in Western Kenya, MTRH has over 1,000 beds and serves patients from both Kenya and neighboring countries like Uganda and Tanzania.
During his internship, Chang-Lung joined the Biomedical Engineering (BME) Department at MTRH, a unique opportunity that allowed him to engage with a large team of over 35 Biomedical Equipment Technicians and Engineers (BMETs). This department is vital in managing the installation, operation, calibration, maintenance, repair, and disposal of medical equipment throughout the hospital. The presence of BMETs in various departments, including surgery, radiotherapy, and the ICU, facilitated invaluable connections and collaboration with clinical staff.
Project Focus: Streamlining Medical Equipment Management
Chang-Lung's project aimed to enhance the management of medical equipment at MTRH by developing and implementing a Computerized Maintenance Management System (CMMS). This system is designed to streamline critical activities, including equipment repair, preventive maintenance, calibration, and inventory management, addressing the challenges of managing thousands of pieces of equipment in a large facility.
The initiative traces back to 2019, when a TU Delft intern first introduced a basic system using Google Sheets and Forms to digitize BME workflows. Although simple, this system was highly appreciated by BMETs, demonstrating that even small innovations can lead to significant improvements.
Unfortunately, like many solutions in low-resource settings, the system eventually fell out of use due to a lack of maintenance. However, its initial success highlighted the potential for improvement, prompting the development of the MTRH Portal, an in-house ERP system utilizing open-source software ERPNext.
While this new system is a promising advancement, its complexity requires specialized programming skills for development and maintenance. As a joint effort between the ICT and BME departments, it also necessitates extensive cross-departmental communication, which can be challenging in a large public organization. During his internship, Chang-Lung concentrated on clarifying system requirements, analyzing the current system's performance, and training BMETs on its functionalities. He identified significant areas for improvement in usability and interface design, noting that many critical functions were lacking due to an incomplete understanding of the BME Department's specific needs.
Looking Ahead
Chang-Lung’s experience underscores the importance of ongoing collaboration and user feedback in system development. He believes that future TU Delft students can build on his work, refining the project to ensure it reaches its full potential.
Reflecting on his time at MTRH, Chang-Lung found the experience both enlightening and inspiring. Originating from the Philippines, he was struck by the similarities between the two countries, from shared histories to common challenges. Above all, he was inspired by the resilience and creativity of the people he encountered, reinforcing his hope for a better future.
Chang-Lung’s journey exemplifies the spirit of global collaboration, illustrating that it involves not just sharing technology and resources but also learning from the ingenuity and perseverance of the Global South to create a sustainable future.
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