Background: According to the WHO four billion people around the world lack access to medical
imaging, and even more lack access to Interventional Radiology (IR). We performed
an assessment of the largest tertiary referral center and teaching hospital in Tanzania,
a nation of over 50 million people. This demonstrated that there is currently not
a single interventional radiologist in the entire nation, but all relevant imaging
modalities, including Ultrasound, CT, and fluoroscopy, are available. Method(s): To address the acute shortage of IR in Tanzania, we started training Tanzanian Radiology
residents in IR. Over the course of three years (2018-2021), 30 IR teams, each consisting
of an IR faculty member, a nurse, and a technologist, travel to Tanzania in two-week
blocks with the goal of training three Tanzanian residents per year to be fully competent
in general IR and basic neurointerventional procedures. Result(s): During the initial two trips in October and November 2018, a total of 37 interventions
were performed on 31 patients. Technical success was achieved in 30/31 initial procedures
(97%). There were no major complications. Specifically, the following procedures were
performed: 15 Core needle biopsies, 6 nephrostomy tube placements, 6 drain checks/internationazaions/exchanges,
4 biliary drain placements, 3 abscess drain placements, 2 cyst aspirations, and a
cholecystostomy placement. All procedures were logged via Google forms and follow-up
phone calls are performed at one and three months post-procedure. Preliminary follow-up
data demonstrates that >90% of patients report no subsequent complications and are
satisfied with the procedure and related care. Conclusion(s): This early experience demonstrates that IR practices can be established in the resource
limited setting. There is potential for expansion of this program to other sites where
IR can add great value, in many cases decreasing morbidity and improving patient satisfaction.
