RELEASE: $500K in Repairs and 280 Devices Restored Through EWB-USA's Guatemala Community Health Institute

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

October 13, 2026

Denver, CO — Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) concluded its 2026 Community Health Institute (CHI) in Guatemala, where participants repaired 280 medical devices across seven hospitals in just two months, with the total value of repairs exceeding $500,000 USD. The program brought together five Guatemalan and 14 international participants to strengthen healthcare infrastructure while building practical biomedical engineering skills.

During the first month of the intensive institute, visiting participants completed 64 hours of Spanish-language instruction and 64 hours of technical lessons and labs before putting that training into practice through hospital visits and hands-on repairs. Following initial instruction, volunteers fanned out across the country to spend over a month at their hospital assignments. During this time, they not only repaired equipment, but immersed themselves in the communities to understand their needs and participate in lasting knowledge transfer with on-site hospital staff who will now carry out repairs for years to come. For healthcare facilities in low-resource settings, access to medical equipment is only part of the challenge. Equipment can fall out of service when hospitals lack trained technicians, spare parts, repair information, or the resources needed for ongoing maintenance.

When critical medical equipment is out of service, the impact can extend directly to patient care. From NICU infant warmers to sterilization equipment, reliable technology is essential to helping healthcare providers deliver safe, effective treatment. EWB-USA’s Community Health Institute helps address this problem by combining hands-on equipment repair with technical training and locally appropriate solutions designed to keep the medical technology functioning after the program ends.

For Fernanda Rivas, the experience reinforced the role engineers can play in strengthening healthcare systems in their own communities.

“My experience with EWB-USA allowed me to gain a closer understanding of Guatemala’s public healthcare system and some of the challenges it faces. Being able to see these needs firsthand changed the way I view the role I can play as a future biomedical engineer,” said Rivas. “This experience motivated me to continue looking for ways in which my knowledge and profession can contribute to improving access to and the quality of healthcare in my country.”

These engineers had to find creative solutions using the materials and resources available locally. In one neonatal intensive care unit, 11 infant warmers were out of service, forcing staff to rely on incandescent bulbs to provide warmth. EWB-USA participants developed replacement temperature sensors using locally sourced resistors costing less than $5 each, returning all 11 warmers to service within days while also training local technicians to perform the repair themselves.

The Institute’s impact extends beyond the equipment repaired during the program. By strengthening technical skills, encouraging knowledge sharing, and working alongside local healthcare professionals, EWB-USA is helping build the workforce needed to maintain and repair critical medical technology over the long term. Cohort by cohort, the Community Health Institute aims to develop a global network of adaptable biomedical engineering technicians while helping address gaps in the healthcare technology workforce and strengthen local capacity.

About Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA)

Engineers Without Borders USA (EWB-USA) is a nonprofit organization advancing sustainable, community-driven engineering solutions that meet basic human needs. Since 2002, the organization has completed more than 1,200 projects in over 700 communities, improving the lives of more than 6.1 million people. In 2025 alone, EWB-USA reached over 800,000 people, with a majority of projects focused on expanding access to safe water. EWB-USA is committed to developing globally-minded leaders who will continue shaping a more sustainable and equitable world.

Connect with EWB-USA by visiting their website: ewb-usa.org or by following them on LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram.