Speaker
Description
Background and implementation (2019 – 2022)
Following a strategic partnership between the University Clinics of Kinshasa (CUK) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), facilitated by the CGEA/CREN-K, a Mediso SPECT Anyscan dual-head gamma camera was acquired in 2019. Technical installation and initial acceptance testing were completed in 2020 with support from regional maintenance teams and IAEA expert oversight. Clinical operations officially commenced in 2022 following expert validation, with the initial session focusing exclusively on thyroid scintigraphy, recording 15 examinations (December 2022).
Operational expansion (2023)
The service achieved full operational status in 2023 under the guidance of IAEA expert Professor Bouyoucef Sala. This period marked a significant expansion in clinical activity, with 108 examinations conducted across three distinct sessions (February; April; June-July). Furthermore, diagnostic procedures were diversified beyond thyroid scans (n=60) to include myocardial (n=12), renal (n=14), bone (n=21), and pulmonary scintigraphy (n=1).
Technical challenges and resilience (2024–2025)
Clinical activity faced a total interruption in 2024 due to critical power circuit failures. This technical setback was resolved through the implementation of a dedicated power protection and backup system, including UPS units and stabilizers. Consequently, operations resumed in 2025, recording 84 examinations across three sessions (June; September-October; November). Despite a slight decrease in overall volume compared to 2023, the diagnostic scope continued to evolve with the successful introduction of cerebral scintigraphy (n=2).
Conclusions and perspectives
The 2020–2025 period reflects a progressive and resilient trajectory for nuclear medicine at CUK. Current strategic priorities focus on increasing patient flow through clinical popularization and the adoption of complex protocols in neurology, cardiology, and oncology to optimize patient care in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
| Track | Situation of Nuclear Medicine in Low- and Medium-Income Countries |
|---|---|
| Presentation type | Oral |