- Radiologists at Muhimbili National Hospital, part of the
Muhimbili University of Health and Sciences and the largest public
hospital in Tanzania, will receive the latest mammography
technology and advanced imaging training to help clinicians improve
detection, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer in the
country.
- The project aims to help lower Tanzania’s 50% breast cancer
mortality rate through early detection and efforts to expand
clinical education.
Today the Radiological Society of North America (RSNA) and GE
HealthCare (Nasdaq: GEHC) announced their collaboration to provide
mammography technology, training and educational tools to
radiologists at Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), part of the
Muhimbili University of Health and Sciences (MUHAS), in Tanzania to
improve access to screening and help clinicians lower the country’s
breast cancer mortality rate.
MNH at MUHAS is a public hospital serving Dar es Salaam, the
largest city in Tanzania, and did not have a working mammography
machine. For women in Tanzania, breast cancer is the second leading
cause of cancer mortality,1 with more than 80% of diagnoses
happening at stage III or IV when the odds of long-term
survivability are much lower.2 Additionally, the lifetime risk for
developing breast cancer is approximately one in twenty, and
approximately half of all women diagnosed with breast cancer in the
country die of the disease.3
Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide,
affecting both developed and developing countries.4 Its impact
transcends borders, cultures, and socioeconomic backgrounds. To
help improve radiology education and patient care around the world,
RSNA developed the Global Learning Center (GLC) program that works
to create learning centers with established radiology departments
based in low- or middle-resourced countries, like Tanzania. Through
this program, a team of RSNA members works with the institution
over three years to develop a customized curriculum with in-person,
hands-on training, didactic lectures, conferences, online courses
and other education offerings. MUHAS is part of the RSNA GLC
program and is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of
Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).
As part of the new agreement, GE HealthCare will install the
Pristina Mammography Suite, which includes 2D and 3D digital breast
tomosynthesis, Contrast Enhanced Mammography (CEM), CEM Biopsy
capabilities and a Seno Iris workstation, at MUHAS, as well as
provide maintenance of the system at no charge to the
university.
Approximately twenty nurses, radiologists and techs will be
involved with the mammography suite. Live trainings under the grant
will cover operation of the system, image interpretation, patient
care, video tutorials, case study learning, engagement of
physicians in a peer learning network and, upon course completion,
a GE HealthCare-issued certification.
In addition to improving the level of radiologic practice and
breast care throughout the region, the collaboration between GE
HealthCare, MUHAS and RSNA will also work to raise awareness about
the importance of breast cancer screening and early detection among
Tanzanians.
“GE HealthCare is committed to helping reduce disparities in
care and improving access to medical imaging worldwide. One of the
ways we honor this commitment is through our continued pursuit of
innovative imaging technology. Another way we honor this commitment
is by working with organizations, like RSNA, to leverage our
different strengths and engage the global community to help break
down barriers to care,” said Jan Makela – President and CEO of
Imaging at GE HealthCare. “With breast cancer mortality rates in
Tanzania among the highest globally, our work with RSNA will help
bring much-needed mammography technology to MUHAS. Early detection
can save lives, and we believe this combination of technology,
training and educational tools has the potential to help thousands
of women across Tanzania.”
Since the RSNA GLC program’s introduction in 2020, RSNA has
established sites in South Africa, Tanzania, Ecuador, Indonesia and
Armenia.
“RSNA’s Global Learning Center program was designed to expand
radiology education across the world and foster international
collaborations. Through this collaboration with GE HealthCare, we
are able to work with local stakeholders at Muhimbili National
Hospital to advance a breast imaging curriculum, provide in-person
hands-on training in mammography, and offer online courses,
technical assistance and virtual support,” said Umar Mahmood, M.D.,
Ph.D. – chair of the RSNA Board of Directors. “Bringing this
critical training and technology to MUHAS will improve access to
quality patient care throughout the region and save lives.”
GE HealthCare and RSNA will join the team at Muhimbili National
Hospital to celebrate this collaboration on Wednesday, April 17,
2024 at the breast center’s unveiling. For more information about
Muhimbili National Hospital, visit mnh.or.tz.
About GE HealthCare Technologies Inc.
GE HealthCare is a leading global medical technology,
pharmaceutical diagnostics, and digital solutions innovator,
dedicated to providing integrated solutions, services, and data
analytics to make hospitals more efficient, clinicians more
effective, therapies more precise, and patients healthier and
happier. Serving patients and providers for more than 125 years, GE
HealthCare is advancing personalized, connected, and compassionate
care, while simplifying the patient’s journey across the care
pathway. Together our Imaging, Ultrasound, Patient Care Solutions,
and Pharmaceutical Diagnostics businesses help improve patient care
from diagnosis, to therapy, to monitoring. We are a $19.6 billion
business with approximately 51,000 colleagues working to create a
world where healthcare has no limits.
Follow us on LinkedIn, X (formerly Twitter), and Insights for
the latest news, or visit our website https://www.gehealthcare.com/
for more information.
About RSNA
RSNA is an association of radiologists, radiation oncologists,
medical physicists and related scientists promoting excellence in
patient care and health care delivery through education, research
and technologic innovation. The Society is based in Oak Brook,
Illinois. (RSNA.org)
____________________________________
1 Ngwa W, Addai BW, Adewole I, et al. Cancer in sub-Saharan
Africa: a Lancet Oncology Commission. Lancet Oncol.
2022;23(6):e251-e312. doi:10.1016/ S1470-2045(21)00720-8 2 Tanzania
Breast Health Care Assessment 2017. An assessment of breast cancer
early detection, diagnosis and treatment in Tanzania. Retrieved
from https:// ww5.komen.
org/uploadedFiles/_Komen/Content/What_We_Do/Around_the_World/Africa/Tanzania-BHCA-2017.pdf.
3 Parkin, D.M. (2003) Cancer in Africa: Epidemiology and
Prevention. IARC Publications No. 153. 4
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8822551/
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GE HealthCare Media Contact Emily Niles Global
Communications Leader – Women’s Health & X-ray GE HealthCare +1
262 290 8089 emily.niles@gehealthcare.com
RSNA Media Contact Linda Brooks Senior Manager, Media
Relations 1-630-590-7738 lbrooks@rsna.org
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