Pediatric interventional radiology in Ethiopia: current status, challenges, and roadmap to establishment

Area of Science:

• Pediatric radiology
• Interventional radiology
• Global health equity

Background:

• Pediatric interventional radiology (IR) uses minimally invasive, image-guided procedures for pediatric diagnosis and treatment.
• While advanced in high-income nations, pediatric IR is lacking in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Ethiopia faces significant underdevelopment in pediatric IR services.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the current status of pediatric IR in Ethiopia.
• To identify key barriers impeding the implementation of pediatric IR.
• To propose a roadmap for establishing a sustainable pediatric IR practice in Ethiopia.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of existing pediatric IR services and challenges in Ethiopia.
• Analysis of barriers to pediatric IR implementation.
• Development of a context-specific strategy for sustainable practice building.

Main Results:

• Pediatric IR in Ethiopia is nascent, with limited infrastructure and trained personnel.
• Key barriers include lack of equipment, insufficient training, and inadequate funding.
• A phased approach is proposed, focusing on capacity building and resource optimization.

Conclusions:

• Addressing the identified barriers is crucial for advancing pediatric IR in Ethiopia.
• Developing a sustainable pediatric IR practice will improve access to essential medical innovations for children.
• This initiative supports global health equity in pediatric care.