UC Biomed

Bridging Health and Innovation - A biomedical engineering service trip to Tonga

3D Printer Project

The 3D Printer Implementation Project at Vaiola Hospital equipped local biomedical technicians with the ability to fabricate replacement parts for medical equipment, reducing reliance on expensive or unavailable imports. To achieve this, we donated a Prusa Mini+ 3D printer, essential accessories, and training materials. Over five weeks, we trained technicians in 3D modeling, slicing, and printer operations, enabling them to independently design and manufacture functional components such as sink plugs, sharps containers, and medical device adapters. This initiative has enhanced the hospital’s capabilities and fostered technician skill development.

Hospital Beds

The Hospital Bed Repair Project aimed to restore non-functional electrical beds at Vaiola Hospital, improving patient care and hospital efficiency. An assessment of 57 beds found that 51% of electrical beds were non-functional due to wiring, motor, and control panel failures.  Over five weeks, the team repaired three beds, re-insulated exposed wiring on others, and explored converting beds to manual operation using carjacks. While time constraints prevented full implementation, the project provided temporary safety solutions and developed inspection guidelines to aid future maintenance.  Future efforts will focus on securing funding, implementing permanent repairs, and supporting the hospital’s plan to procure 60 new beds.

Asset Registry

The Hospital Asset Management Project aimed to improve medical equipment tracking and maintenance in Tonga’s hospitals, addressing inefficiencies caused by a lack of standardised asset management. Tonga uses the Tupaia asset management system which has a lot of potential, but due to lack of training and some communication gaps with the developers, it has not been fully utilised. We worked with the team in Tonga and communicated with the Tupaia developers to make some technical improvements to the Tupaia asset management implementation to suit Tonga’s needs better. One key change included a new repair request function for nurses. In addition, we ran training sessions for biomedical technicians to enhance their knowledge and confidence when using the Tupaia app.

Shipping Containers

Tonga relies heavily on donated medical equipment but faces a large problem with the quality of equipment that is donated. Some of the medical equipment that Tonga relies on arrives broken or missing crucial components. This creates a large burden on the Tongan health care system to assess, repair, or dispose of the equipment. The Biomedical Inventory Management Project aimed to establish a structured system for tracking medical supplies in Vaiola Hospital’s shipping containers, improving accessibility and resource utilisation. A Google Sheet-based inventory system was developed, logging item details such as condition and expiry dates. QR codes linked to digital records were affixed to shipping containers where donated equipment is stored, and site visits helped categorise and document supplies in collaboration with a team from UNSW.

Energy audit

Another key project was the development of a draft  Energy Management Policy for Vaiola Hospital. This policy outlines strategies and practices aimed at optimising energy consumption across the hospital’s operations. The draft serves as a critical step toward promoting energy efficiency, reducing the risk of power surges caused by local overloads, and aligning with sustainability goals. The Energy Management Policy (EMP) for Vaiola Hospital was developed to enhance energy efficiency, reduce operational costs, and minimise environmental impacts. Aligned with ISO 50001:2018, the EMP covers all hospital operations, including medical equipment, HVAC, lighting, and other energy-consuming systems, with a goal of reducing energy consumption by 10% over three years. An initial energy audit provided insights to provide initial recommendations for reducing energy consumption.

Disposal Policy & Medical Equipment Donation Process

Tonga’s healthcare systems have recently transitioned from paper-based records, but outdated and inconsistent policies remain a major challenge for the Ministry of Health (MOH). To address this, we reviewed the donation, maintenance, and disposal policies for medical equipment, identifying key gaps and proposing improvements. Our work helped clarify the existing processes, ensuring greater transparency and efficiency. By documenting the policies in a clear and structured format, we provided a foundation for refining the donation process.

Training programs

One of the key struggles Tonga has is access to specialised training, which includes medical-specific training for the technicians who have completed their electrician training. A variety of lecture topics were prepared to pilot this year. The anatomy lectures provided biomedical technicians with a foundational understanding of human anatomy and physiology, enhancing their medical knowledge and enabling them to see beyond electrical testing when working with medical devices. This was further reinforced through medical device sessions, which covered functionality, common faults, and maintenance in a clinical context. Hands-on workshops allowed participants to apply key concepts in practice, strengthening their technical skills. These training programs served as trials to assess Tonga's needs for developing a biomedical technician course at Tonga National University through the MOU with the University of Canterbury to develop understanding of how these technologies support patient care. The lectures enhanced technical literacy, informed device operation, and better prepared technicians  for clinical settings.

World Bank Heart Project – Supporting Healthcare Development

We collaborated with the MOH of Tonga on the World Bank-funded Heart Project, which aims to enhance healthcare services in the northern islands of Vava’u by constructing a new hospital and upgrading medical equipment across multiple facilities. Our team played a crucial role in developing technical specifications for equipment procurement, ensuring that necessary details were provided for an efficient purchasing process. A comprehensive technical specifications document was created for Hunga Hospital, equipping the procurement team with a reference to evaluate and select medical devices that meet the hospital’s needs.

Shown is one of two delivery beds in Vava'u hospital, which is on one of the northern islands where the Heart Projects' aims to improve healthcare.

We would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to all our generous sponsors who made this project possible. Your support has been invaluable, and we truly appreciate your commitment to our cause.

A special thank you to our major sponsors:

• Enztec
• Tait Contel Charitable Trust

We would also like to express our gratitude to our key sponsors:

• Shamrock Industries
• U3A North Canterbury
• Rolleston Central Probus Club.

Thank you again for your continued support. Your partnership is vital to the success of our work, and we look forward to building on these relationships in the future.

If you'd like more information on the club's activities, or are a prospective student, alumni, organisation or company wanting to collaborate or engage with us on activities, contact Dr Debbie Munro, Senior Lecturer, at debbie.munro@canterbury.ac.nz. 

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