Observing an associate develops metal-oxide doped elastomeric materials for enhanced photo-decontamination of elastomer-based medical devices aroused my curiosity about biomedical engineering.
The project aimed to investigate the potential to improve the clinical outcome of elastomeric in-dwelling devices by developing nanoparticle-doped elastomers that both minimize initial bacterial attachment and, through photocatalytic TiO2, can be effectively decontaminated using 405 nm violet-blue light, thus reducing the risk of biofilm formation on the device surface and subsequent patient infection.
My interest in the field of Biomedical Engineering was further inspired by the technological advancements in recent decades which have contributed enormously to improving human health and healthcare delivery globally. This is especially evident in developed countries. Examples of such tools include implantable medical devices such as the pacemaker, cochlear implant, real-time blood pressure sensors, and artificial hips etc. In order to continue reaping such benefits from technology, it is necessary to encourage and promote innovative approaches to tackling global health problems.
Although my background is in Social Science, I have developed a keen desire to apply principles of engineering, physical and life sciences to healthcare, from diagnosis and analysis to treatment and recovery.
My first contact with the development of photo-decontaminating elastomeric materials has strengthened my desire to further understand the connection between engineering innovation and clinical practice. It opened my mind to limitless opportunities and appreciate the effectiveness of a medical device is not only determined by its primary function, but also depends on the materials from which it is made and how it interacts with the body system.
The World Health Organization has identified access to appropriate, affordable and good-quality medical devices as an important component of effective healthcare, while also highlighting the potential role of local production and technology transfer in improving access in low- and middle-income countries. Nigeria was specifically included in a WHO case study examining barriers and opportunities surrounding local production and access to medical devices.
Nigeria, like many other developing countries, face challenges in the health care system, infrastructure and limited access to medical technologies, equipment and specialized healthcare services. As I explored the broader application of biomedical engineering, I became more interested in how digital technologies and data driven systems can be applied to healthcare data management, and remote health care delivery. Electronic health care records, automated data analysis, patient monitoring can help support decison making, ultimately improving health outcomes, and continuity in care. Thus, expanding the critical knowledge in the area of Biomedical Engineering and alternative approaches to healthcare delivery.
Beyond data management, I am interested in how digital technologies can support the delivery of healthcare and medical supplies to remote communities that lack adequate access to healthcare facilities. Digital health has the potential to support more efficient and sustainable healthcare systems, improve access to services, and facilitate the appropriate use of health data.
The WHO Global Strategy on Digital Health also emphasizes the importance of developing digital health solutions that are accessible, affordable, sustainable and appropriate to different country contexts.
My interest therefore extends beyond the development of individual medical devices. I am increasingly curious about the wider relationship between engineering innovation, digital systems and healthcare delivery. I am interested in how technologies can be designed not simply because they are technically possible, but because they address real healthcare needs. In the Nigerian context, this could include technologies for diagnosis and monitoring, medical devices that are easier to maintain locally, improved systems for managing healthcare information, and digital solutions that can support patients and healthcare workers in underserved communities.
I believe that continued innovation in Biomedical Engineering, combined with an understanding of the social and healthcare realities of countries such as Nigeria, could contribute to more accessible and sustainable healthcare solutions. For me, this is what makes the field particularly interesting: it provides an opportunity to look at healthcare problems from a different perspective and to explore how engineering innovation can be translated into practical solutions for patients and communities.
