Speaker
Description
Introduction:
In sub-Saharan Africa, the transition toward molecular imaging remains a significant public health challenge. The establishment of the first nuclear medicine (NM) department in Burkina Faso at the Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital (CHUYO) in January 2012 marked a strategic turning point. Following fourteen years of operation, this study aims to provide a longitudinal assessment of the NM ecosystem in Burkina Faso, identifying systemic barriers to technology sustainability and outlining the strategic roadmap for the next decade.
Materials and Methods:
The present descriptive cross-sectional study examined the availability of personnel, equipment, and the supply chain for radiopharmaceuticals. We analyzed the evolution of scintigraphy activities and clinical indications performed from January 2012 to December 2025.
Results:
For over a decade, nuclear imaging procedures in Burkina Faso (BF) relied on a single operational centre equipped with a Mediso dual-head single-photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) gamma-camera (Nucline SPIRIT DH-V). A critical expansion phase began in 2024 with the installation of a second department featuring a Siemens Symbia SPECT/CT, marking the entry into hybrid imaging.
Despite this progress, only 3,317 examinations were conducted over 14 years, yielding a modest annual average of 237 exams. Oncological investigations dominate the clinical landscape (51% using 99mTc-MDP), followed by renal (18%), thyroid (16%), myocardial (10%), and pulmonary scans (5%).
However, advanced services such as metabolic radiation therapy and radioimmunology remain unavailable, and the lack of dedicated equipment continues to hinder essential quality control for radiopharmaceuticals. The specialized workforce includes ten NM physicians, six technologists, three medical physicists, and a single radiopharmacist
Discussion:
The operational history of NM in Burkina Faso highlights the vulnerability of high-tech medical services in LMICs. The erratic trend in scintigraphy procedures is directly associated with recurrent work stoppages due to equipment breakdowns and chronic challenges in procuring radiopharmaceuticals. The absence of integrated maintenance contracts and the slow pace of equipment replacement compromise service viability. Furthermore, the shortage of medical physicists and radiopharmacists exerts a deleterious effect on clinical quality and safety standards. To overcome these hurdles, priority must be accorded to continuous professional training and the regionalization of supply chains
Conclusion:
While the 2012 milestone laid the foundation for NM, persistent infrastructural and logistical obstacles have limited its full potential. The ongoing deployment of the new department is a catalyst for innovation, likely leading to the introduction of PET imaging in Burkina Faso by 2028, provided that sustainable maintenance and training strategies are implemented.
Keywords:
Burkina Faso; SPECT/CT deployment; LMICs (Low- and Medium-Income Countries); Technology sustainability; Hybrid imaging perspectives
| Track | Situation of Nuclear Medicine in Low- and Medium-Income Countries |
|---|---|
| Presentation type | Oral |