The Dawn of Training Programs in Africa

ABSTRACT

A key driver of global radiology disparities is the lack of trained professionals and a lack of formal training programs, despite the increasing availability of previously cost-prohibitive radiology equipment.1 In Africa, limited access to radiology training programs is severe at both the diagnostic radiology (DR) residency and radiology subspecialty (RS) fellowship levels. Tanzania Interventional Radiology Fellowship In 2017, an IR Readiness Assessment at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam revealed a complete lack of trained IR personnel and disposable equipment as their two main obstacles to initiating IR service.6,7 Beginning in October 2018, through close collaboration among MNH, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS), and multiple US institutions including Yale and Emory Universities under the Road2IR consortium, rotating teams of IR faculty, nurses, and technologists were deployed to MNH for hands-on teaching. The two-year fellowship programs provide ample time and structure for trainees to gain the necessary competencies in their subspecialties, compared to unstructured clinical apprenticeships or short-term observer-based models.3,11 Providing in-country training opportunities is a critical step toward addressing the severe radiology disparities in Africa.