Ebola crisis illustrates the importance of engineers

Dr Helen Meese, the Institution's Head of Engineering in Society, highlights the role engineers played in West Africa.

World Health Organization data shows the lowest weekly cases of Ebola since May 2014, Liberia has had no new cases for five weeks and Guinea saw less than half the cases of the week before. However, more than 10,400 people have died in the outbreak in the last year, and the “long last mile” in eradication has yet to be completed.

In the UK media focus has shifted from Ebola to election, but it is reassuring to hear that the professionals who were co-ordinating the UK response in West Africa are not yet moving on, but are reflecting on their experiences and trying to learn the lessons. 

Just before Easter I attended the debate What are the lessons learned from the response to the Ebola outbreak? at the Royal Society and hosted by the Foundation for Science & Technology.

There was a frank and honest appraisal of the actions of all parties involved, a discussion of the lessons learnt and the ways to ensure that we respond even better in the future. I urge you to read the full transcript for a fascinating insight into the crisis.

The dedication and professionalism of the doctors and nurses was truly awe inspiring but, as Head of Engineering in Society, I was most interested in the role of engineers.
 
Engineers provided the personal protective equipment, masks, refrigeration equipment, tents and transport – all of which needed to be carefully designed to minimise risk.

Much of the technology was proven, but the supply chains were not established, and many hospitals had virtually no equipment when Ebola broke out. The engineers now have an ongoing role of sanitising transport and equipment, either through chlorine or burning; and are overseeing the safe decommissioning of facilities.

Although many miles away, in all senses, from UK healthcare there are parallels to be drawn. The Biomedical Engineering: advancing UK healthcare report we published in July last year emphasised how the delivery of healthcare is becoming increasingly dependent on technology, and how the role of the biomedical engineer in supporting this technology will become ever more vital.  

This is as true in Africa as the UK, the technology and equipment will only give the promised benefits if run efficiently and correctly, and carefully supported by knowledgeable engineers. 

Looking ahead, the engineers are likely to be investigating alternative sanitising measures, ideally without the corrosive risk of chlorine or the need for wasteful burning. A team from Johns Hopkins University has already redesigned protective suits to make them easier to use and, crucially, to make the face more visible; having human “contact” whilst so ill must be a priority. 

The Engineer had a useful insight into the role of engineering from a Director of MSF when the crisis was at its height. From providing foot controls on taps and redesigning septic tanks through to the cultural sensitivities around burial practices, engineers have a crucial role to play. 

Ebola apps are already being developed to give information on the disease, symptoms and precautions. There is the potential to track movement of possible carriers using tracing technology and GPS. Engineers have learnt from their experiences, and are keen to find solutions where problems occurred and use technology to optimise the medical response.

In my opinion the most important lesson is the power of a multi-disciplinary team. Consider vaccine development, hospital building, local decision making or transportation; engineering was fundamental to tackling all of these. The links established between the medical experts and equipment providers should be strengthened and the holistic approach supported.  
 
So as the last, fingers crossed, few cases are treated, Liberia, Guinea and Sierra Leone will be focused on rebuilding their health services and planning the response should Ebola strike again. International aid organisations must capitalise on the lessons learnt and ensure that engineers play a leading role to guarantee an even more effective response to the next health crisis.