Radiology

There are fewer than 100 radiologists in Kenya - a country of 30 million people.  There are still many places in Kenya where exploratory laparotomy is performed for women with positive pregnancy tests and abdominal pain because of lack of access to ultrasound and a competent radiologist.

The relationship between IU and Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH) radiology departments began in 2003 with an IUSM representative initially spending two months in Kenya.  That first visit firmly establisheed the idea of cross-Atlantic collaboration within both the MTRH and IU radiology departments.  In 2004, the IU Department of Radiology hosted one of the MTRH radiologists at IU for 6 weeks.  Past visitors have read studies (primarily plain film and ultrasound with a small amount of CT), given lectures and instruction to medical students and house officers (residents), and installed the first (very rudimentary) MTRH PACS, using a digital camera to capture images of chest radiographs and ultrasounds from a light-box.  In the two years between 2005 and 2007 further enhancement of the technology available at MRTH occurred, including ultrasound and CT machines to the hospital.  The radiology department provides much needed support as MRTH moves toward improving oncology services.