I will be going to Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH) in Dar es Salaam to volunteer as an Interventional Radiologist through Road2IR, together with Dr. Aneesa Majid, also an IR. The goals will be to 1) provide advanced IR services to the local public, 2) teach and train the IR residents in the Road2IR-initiated residency program and 3) raise awareness about IR global health initiatives through spotlight on Road2IR.
In the short term, the local and regional Tanzanian population will be directly served by this initiative. However, training Tanzanian IRs has an exponential impact of advancing the availability of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures in Africa. Finally, the general public will also potentially benefit from knowing about global health initiatives in interventional radiology, as part of the Interventional Initiative's mission to increase awareness about IR options.
We expect this trip to improve access to and awareness of minimally invasive, image-guided procedures. We will do this by directly volunteering our services as an IR attending, by teaching residents and staff, and by showcasing these efforts through the Interventional Initiative. These efforts will help to support and advance minimally invasive, image-guided procedures in Tanzania, where they have the power to offer high quality, cutting-edge solutions for a variety of medical problems that afflict the local population. However, we also expect the impact to extend beyond Tanzania - contributing to and elevating the efforts of Road2IR to bring IR to the developing world.
Dr. Aneesa Majid, Dr. Isabel Newton and the Interventional Initiative team embarked on a mission to volunteer in the Interventional Radiology department of Muhimbili National Hospital in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, and film Episode 5 of our docuseries, Without a Scalpel. Rod2IR has created the first IR training program in Tanzania, and it was our privilege to help advance the education of its trainees. This endeavor has not only deepened our commitment to providing healthcare access to underserved areas but has also enriched our understanding of the power of interventional radiology.
The journey began with eager anticipation as our team members gathered at the airport, armed with a strong sense of purpose and a genuine desire to make a difference. Upon arriving at Muhimbili National Hospital, we were greeted with warmth and enthusiasm by the hospital staff, who were excited to collaborate with us. The spirit of camaraderie and shared passion for healthcare was evident from the outset. We brought with us suitcases filed with the generous donations of IR supplies from Boston Scientific.
During our time at Muhimbili National Hospital, we worked alongside local IR attendings and trainees to provide interventional radiology services to patients in need. Biliary drainages, abscess drainages, fistulograms, permcath placements and biopsies were among the most common procedures. We witnessed firsthand the transformative impact that minimally invasive, image-guided procedures can have on patients, particularly those with limited access to specialized healthcare.
Beyond the clinical setting, we had the opportunity to immerse ourselves in Tanzanian culture and forge meaningful connections with our IR colleagues and Road2IR. We appreciated the perseverance, resilience and spirit of our Tanzanian IR colleagues and their trainees, further inspiring our commitment to advancing healthcare access worldwide.
We would like to extend our heartfelt gratitude to Muhimbili National Hospital, Executive Director Prof Janabi, and especially the IR Department for their warm welcome and support throughout our stay. Their dedication to serving their community is truly commendable, and we are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such an exceptional institution. What they and Road2IR have accomplished in 6 years is nothing short of a miracle.
The journey to volunteer, teach and film in Muhimbili National Hospital IR has reinforced our mission to expand interventional radiology services globally and provide healthcare access to those who need it most. We are more determined than ever to continue our efforts and make a lasting impact in the lives of underserved communities around the world. We are grateful to Doximity for finding our travel for this impactful endeavor.
