Malawi
Radiology
The Radiology-project between Haukeland University Hospital (HUH) and Kamuzu Central Hospital (KCH) has been ongoing since 2008. The project is part of an exchange program, and was established to support the Orthopedic and surgical services at KCH.
The aim is to ensure a sustainable Department of Radiology at KCH, with focus on teaching of and competence building for local staff.
The exchange program has financed new equipment for the Radiology Department at KCH. With funds from the project, a demonstration room at the department is up and running and well-functioning. The department had a CT scanner installed in 2012, and this has brought the imaging service to a new level. Apart from the CT, there is one conventional lab, and one CR lab, some portable machines, and several ultrasound machines in the hospital. A mammography unit was installed in 2016, but is not yet in clinical use. There is still a great need to replace some equipment in the older labs, and for preventive and corrective maintenance on the existing equipment.
The Department of Medical Engineering at Haukeland has supported the project, and will be an important partner also in the future. Today the department is analogue, but they are committed to moving towards digital imaging in the near future.
The Radiology Department at KCH is relatively well staffed with radiographers. Most employees have education at diploma level, but lack practice with new equipment. There is only one Malawian radiologist working at KCH, and he is the only government employed radiologist in Malawi.