Medical Engineering is a dynamic and rapidly growing field that merges ideas in engineering with medical and biological sciences for the development of healthcare technologies and devices. In Kenya, medical engineers are in demand due to improvements in medical technology and the need for medical facilities to offer better health care services. This article gives a detailed description of the qualifications needed to pursue a course in medical engineering in Kenya, together with an insight into the available career prospects and educational pathways.
Understand What Medical Engineering Entails
Medical engineering, also known as biomedical engineering, is involved in the design, development, and maintenance of medical procedure devices and pieces of equipment. These are from diagnostic machines, imaging equipment, and other instruments used in surgery to artificial organs and prosthetics. Medical engineers develop their applications in hospitals, research institutes, and manufacturing companies to help set high standards for patient care and improved medical research.
Ways of Becoming a Medical Engineer
The following are the common ways to becoming a medical engineer in Kenya:
- Diploma in Medical Engineering
- Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Engineering
1. Diploma in Medical Engineering
Qualifications Required
- KCSE Requirements: To be admitted to a diploma course in the medical field of engineering, a student is required to have at least a C- grade in the KCSE. Other specific subjects may include:
- Mathematics: At least a C-
- Physics/Physical Sciences: at least C-
- Biology/Biological Sciences: at least C-
- Other Requirements: Some institutions require a pass in English or Kiswahili.
Institutions Offering Diploma Programs
Some of the renowned institutions in Kenya offering diploma courses in medical engineering are:
- Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC)
- Technical University of Mombasa (TUM)
- Nairobi Technical Training Institute
Course Duration
A diploma in the same course normally takes a duration of three years. In most cases, the course combines both theoretical work and practice, and provides for student involvement in the operation of various medical equipment and devices.
2. Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Engineering
Qualifications Required
- KCSE Requirements: To be allowed to take the bachelor’s degree course, a candidate must keep a higher academic qualification than the qualification kept for the diploma course. Generally, the KCSE requires include the following:
- Mean Grade: C+ (C plus) and above
- Specific Subjects:
- Mathematics: At least C+ grade
- Physics: At least C+ grade
- Biology: At least C+ grade
- English/Kiswahili: At least C+ grade
- Alternative Qualifications: A student with a relevant diploma qualification in Medical Engineering or related field may also be admitted directly to the degree programme.
Institutions Conferring the Degree Programmes
Some institutions offering Bachelor’s degree programmes in Medical Engineering in Kenya are:
- Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
- Kenyatta University
- Technical University of Kenya (TUK)
Duration of Course
A medical engineering degree takes four to five years. The programme is meant to infuse classroom instruction with laboratory work as well as industrial attachment to offer students an all-round education in principles and practices of medical engineering.
Career Opportunities in Medical Engineering
Graduates qualified in medical engineering in Kenya have various options open for them in job opportunities. These include:
- Hospital Equipment Maintenance: Medical engineers setup, maintain, and repair medical equipment in hospitals and clinics.
- Medical Device Manufacturing: They work in the manufacturing arena to design and develop new medical devices and equipment.
- Research and Development: Medical engineers participate in research programs aimed at developing new technologies related to medicine and healthcare and also help improvise existing ones.
- Regulatory Affairs: The medical engineers look after that the devices and equipment developed or manufactured for medical use conform to the standard regulatory guidelines.
Key Skills for a Medical Engineer
A medical engineer must possess the following skills in order to excel in his or her chosen field of endeavor:
- Technical Proficiency: To have sound knowledge of engineering principles and medical technologies.
- Problem-Solving Skills: Troubleshoot and rectify any malfunctioning problems with medical equipment.
- Attention to Detail: Preciseness and accuracy in designing and maintaining medical devices.
- Communication Skills: Communicate technical information to health professionals and patients with ease.
Conclusion
Biomedical engineering in Kenya requires an extensive level of qualification form highschool which combines with intensive professional development training to have a successful career. In obtaining either a diploma course or a bachelor’s degree, prospective engineers need to meet specific academic qualifications and be able to develop the skills conducive to successful practice. Medical engineering is a field where the demand for innovation and technical contributions is ever-growing as medical technologies become more and more highly sophisticated.
It thus becomes important that prospective students visit the websites of institutions offering medical engineering courses to get more information on specific programs and admission requirements.