Demand for Biomedical Engineers in Tanzania – A View from the Outside

We tried to assess the actual demand for biomedical engineers (BMEs) in Tanzania comparing it with the figure of 7,000 BMEs reported by the Tanzanian Minister of Education in 2017. To estimate the present demand and whether existing degree programs would cover it an extensive literature review was conducted. In addition, both a quantitative and a qualitative survey answered by 30 Tanzanian BMEs was analyzed. Local staffing guidelines, the number of registered hospitals and results of the survey were used to further calculate the current staffing requirements considering degree courses offered in this field and the associated number of graduates. Our results show an actual need of at least 2,500 BME graduates which can be covered within 11 years by the existing degree programs. However, it remains open whether the present training courses will meet the demand also in the face of the actual rapid growth of technologization in the healthcare sector. We conclude that our solidly based results highlight the imperative for further measures in order to enhance the future development of the biomedical engineering sector in Tanzania.