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Dr. Rosemond Osei Koranteng

General and Pediatric Radiologist

Greater Accra Regional Hospital, Ghana

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GHANA, WEST AFRICA

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BASIC DEMOGRAPHICS

https://www.worldometers.info/demographics/ghana-demographics/

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Parameter

Value

Total population (2024 United Nations' reports

34,581,288

18 years or older. 

58.2% i.e. 17,931,673 persons

Less than 18 years

41.8%, ie 12,900,346 persons

Average monthly household income

GH¢2,828.44 (approx $218)

Life expectancy at birth, both sexes combined

65.9 years

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RADIOLOGY PRACTICE

  • Number of radiologists practicing in the country-90 radiologists
  • Number of paediatric radiologists practicing in the country-2
  • Number of radiology training positions -100 current residency positions spread across three training institutions.

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Common imaging pathologies in paediatric patients in our region�

• Lack of data/data archiving system***

Modality Xray

%

Fractures/MSK injuries

47.4

Infections/inflammatory processes

26.3

Foreign body ingestion/inhalation

10.5

Intestinal obstruction

7.9

Congenital abnormalities

5.3

Bone tumour

2.6

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Common imaging pathologies in paediatric patients in our region�

• Lack of data/data archiving system***

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Modality USG

%

Infections/inflammatory conditions

38.1

Obs and gyne related

26.2

Intesinal obstruction

14.3

Congenital abnormalities

9.5

Neoplasia/organomegaly

4.8

Others

7.1

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Biggest barrier to improving access of children to medical imaging 1�

  • Availability and Accessibility
    • Most of the basic imaging equipment are within 3 out of 16 regions. Greater Accra (38), followed by Ashanti (19) and Central (19) region.
    • Advanced imaging services such as MRI and CT scans are concentrated in larger, urban hospitals, with functionality status as of December 2023 as follows:
      • MRI 1 functional, 5 non functional
      • CT scans 15 functional, 8 non functional
      • Fluoroscopy 3 functional, 3 non functional
    • Limited resources for routine maintenance of equipment, with some equipment out-of-service and requiring repair. 

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Biggest barrier to improving access of children to medical imaging 1�

  • The affordability of radiology services for families

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Modality

Aveage cost per part GH¢

Aveage cost per part $

Plain radiograph

200

15.4

Ultrasound

250

19.2

CT without contrast

800

61.5

CT with contrast

1200

92.3

MRI

1500

115.4

Fluoroscopy

1000

76.9

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�Easiest thing that could be done to improve the access of children to appropriate medical imaging�

  • Improve access
    • Functioning equipment
    • Cost
    • Better maintenance practices
  • Training
    • Radiologists
    • Pediatric radiologists
    • Radiographers
    • Other supporting radiology staff
  • Research
    • Better data management systems
    • Better research practices

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Challenges related to manpower in paediatric radiology, including training and retention

  • Limited human resource, equipment and specialized pediatric imaging centres.
  • One recognized Pediatric Radiologist, trained in Canada
  • Second just finished training in South Africa recently

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How WFPI can play a role in advancing paediatric radiology within the region.

  • Increased participation and interaction with organizations such as WFPI, starting with me!
  • Opportunities for training of radiologists and pediatric radiologists-observership, fellowships and mini fellowship oppurtunities.
  • Access to didactic lectures, joining webinars and lectures remotely, occasionally in person.

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References

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