3.0 Tesla MRI Machine

The Radiology Department at Benjamin Mkapa Hospital is a cornerstone of diagnostic and interventional services within the facility, playing a critical role in patient care across all clinical specialties. Since its establishment, the department has evolved into a comprehensive imaging unit offering a wide range of state-of-the-art diagnostic and image-guided interventional services. Staffed by highly trained radiologists, radiographers, and interventional specialists, the department supports accurate diagnosis, treatment planning, and therapeutic procedures, thereby enhancing clinical outcomes for both inpatients and outpatients.

Department Services

1. Diagnostic Radiology:
We provide a broad spectrum of imaging services, utilizing modern equipment and technology to support accurate diagnosis and clinical decision-making.

• X-Ray and Fluoroscopy: General radiography, contrast studies including barium and hysterosalpingography, and fluoroscopy-guided procedures.
• Ultrasound: Including abdominal, obstetric, gynecologic, vascular, and musculoskeletal applications.
• Mammography: Digital mammography for early detection of breast pathology, supported by biopsy where needed.
• Computed Tomography (CT): Multi-slice CT imaging for trauma, oncology, cardiovascular, and neurologic assessments including CT angiography and CT-guided interventions.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI): High-resolution imaging for neuro, musculoskeletal, pelvic, and abdominal pathologies.
• CT Intravenous Urography (CT IVU) and CT Triphasic Liver Studies are routinely performed to support nephrology and oncology services.

2. Interventional Radiology:
A growing and essential part of our services, interventional radiology offers minimally invasive, image-guided procedures for diagnosis and therapy.

• Image-guided biopsies (ultrasound and CT-guided)
• Percutaneous fluid drainage (e.g., abscess, pleural, ascitic collections)
• Percutaneous nephrostomy and biliary drainage
• Vascular access procedures (e.g., PICC lines)
• Planned expansion into embolization and tumor ablation therapies

Staff and Expertise

• Radiologists: Our team includes diagnostic and interventional radiologists with diverse subspecialty training, ensuring expert interpretation and procedural competency.
• Radiographers: Skilled in operating complex imaging equipment and patient positioning for accurate imaging.
• Nurses and Technicians: Support interventional procedures and patient monitoring in pre-, intra-, and post-procedural phases.
• Collaboration: The department maintains close collaboration with clinicians across oncology, surgery, internal medicine, pediatrics, and emergency medicine to provide timely and clinically relevant imaging support.

Facilities and Technology

• Digital Imaging Infrastructure: The department uses a fully digital PACS system, enabling fast access to imaging results and enhancing multidisciplinary discussions.
• Ultrasound and CT Suites: Equipped with Doppler, elastography, and multiphase CT scanners.
• MRI Unit: Offers advanced neuroimaging, musculoskeletal, and abdominal applications.
• Interventional Room: Currently shared with CT and ultrasound suites; future expansion plans include a dedicated interventional suite with C-arm fluoroscopy.

Achievements and Milestones

• Successfully supports over 30,000 imaging examinations annually, with increasing demand for CT, MRI, and interventional services.
• Integrated radiology reporting standards to improve turnaround times and diagnostic accuracy.
• Initiated image-guided biopsy services, reducing the need for surgical diagnostic procedures.
• Played a pivotal role in supporting oncology, trauma, and infectious disease programs.

Future Plans and Goals

• Establishment of a Dedicated Interventional Suite: Including fixed fluoroscopy and angiography equipment to broaden the range of interventional procedures.
• Advanced Oncology Imaging Support: Align with the upcoming Cancer Center of Excellence to provide staging, response assessment, and interventional support for oncology care.
• Introduction of Breast and Prostate Interventions: Including stereotactic biopsies and image-guided ablation.
• Staff Training and Capacity Building: Partnering with academic and international institutions to build capacity in subspecialty radiology and interventional techniques.
• Enhanced Reporting and Artificial Intelligence Integration: Incorporating structured reporting and AI-assisted tools for improved diagnostic accuracy and workflow efficiency.
• Community Outreach Imaging Programs: Exploring mobile imaging and outreach screening initiatives, especially for breast and abdominal ultrasound in underserved areas.