The "Ask Me Anything" session at the European Congress of Radiology focused on pioneering initiatives aimed at enhancing imaging accessibility across the globe. Specialists presented cutting-edge solutions, such as portable ultrasound training programmes implemented in Brazil and the deployment of mobile MRI units in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). These advancements underscore the role of technology in addressing healthcare disparities in underserved populations, demonstrating innovative approaches to improve diagnostic capabilities in challenging environments.
Waves Of Change: How Dr POCUS Is Transforming Remote Healthcare in Brazil
Adriano Liguori, an abdominal radiologist in Brazil, introduced Doctor Pocus, a startup aimed at improving access to imaging in underserved regions. He noted that many patients in Brazil travel hours for CT scans due to regional healthcare disparities.
Doctor Pocus serves as an online community to train doctors on portable ultrasound devices, offering a forum, recorded lectures, and an active WhatsApp group with over 160 members. The initiative includes hands-on training in key ultrasound protocols.
A highlight was POCUS Day, where trained students conducted ultrasound exams in remote clinics. “Many of those patients were waiting for one ultrasound exam for the past two years." The startup won second place in a seed funding contest and seeks partnerships with hospitals and a visiting professor programme for low-resource areas. Liguori emphasised the need for a POCUS curriculum supervised by radiologists to ensure proper training and broader adoption.
Global Paediatric Radiology: Uniting The Countries and Continents
Joanna Kasznia-Brown (UK) emphasised the urgent need to improve paediatric radiology access globally. As a former president of the World Federation of Paediatric Imaging, she highlighted the organisation's role in addressing the shortage of paediatric radiologists and limited access to imaging, particularly in regions where children represent over 50% of the population. She noted that nearly 20% of children live in extreme poverty and stressed the importance of providing educational resources for radiologists in low-resource settings.
Kasznia-Brown detailed initiatives such as online training, international hospital partnerships, and a teleradiology network that reviews cases within 24 hours. She encouraged participation in global efforts, stating, "You don’t need to travel if you don’t want to, but being involved is a fantastic way to share our experience and knowledge."
Ultrasound Vans for Accessible Imaging in Rural Areas in Hungary
Levente István Lánczi from Debrecen, Hungary, presented a project focused on improving healthcare accessibility in rural areas. He highlighted alarming issues such as low healthcare spending, high cancer mortality and limited medical services.
The solution involves a regional network of mobile medical units with telemedicine capabilities and advanced ultrasound machines. With trained nurses on-site and remote GP consultations, the initiative has already conducted nearly 3,000 exams in 16 months. Recognised with the Regional STARS award, Lánczi stressed the importance of integrating technical advances into patient care, stating: Technical advances should be used, and the imaging has to be an integrated part of these solutions."
MRI on The Move: Revolutionising Brain Care in LMICs
Ahmed Altaf from Pakistan discussed the impact of a portable MRI on healthcare access in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). He noted that 75% of the global population lacks access to diagnostic imaging, leading to significant health disparities.
He introduced a 0.064 Tesla portable MRI scanner, developed with support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which is a cost-effective option compared to traditional machines that require extensive infrastructure. This lightweight device can operate on a standard outlet and allows for bedside imaging in ICUs and emergency rooms.
Demonstrations showed its efficacy in detecting critical conditions, such as paediatric strokes, while financial benefits include reducing emergency room costs and increasing hospital MRI revenues. The scanner's ease of use allows non-radiologists to conduct scans, addressing staffing shortages in LMICs.
Altaf emphasised the potential for further training and application expansion to bridge the diagnostic gap, stating, "There are endless possibilities and so much that we can do with this scanner."
Implementing A CT-Scanner Facility in South Kivu (DR Congo)
Pierre-Alexandre Aloïs Poletti from Switzerland shared his experience of implementing a CT scanner at Panzi Hospital in South Kivu, Democratic Republic of Congo, after the chaos following the 1994 Rwandan genocide. A Swiss initiative in 2011 aimed to bring high-tech radiology to this challenging environment. After assessing the outdated equipment in 2012, Poletti received support from Swiss and Swedish organisations, leading to the installation of a new CT scanner in 2014.
Over ten years, the scanner enabled 4,000 examinations, primarily for head, spine, and abdominal issues, despite facing 30% downtime and maintenance challenges. Nonetheless, Panzi Hospital saw improvements, in part due to its director, Dr. Denis Mukwege, attracting more funding. In 2024, a new partnership is set to replace the old scanner, ensuring continued radiological services. Poletti concluded, "There was a very positive impact of the CT scanner on the local population despite many problems."
The pioneering initiatives highlighted here illustrate the significant impact of advanced imaging technologies in underserved and remote regions. By integrating mobile imaging solutions with telemedicine platforms and fostering international collaboration, radiologists are fundamentally redefining the landscape of global healthcare delivery. This ensures that essential diagnostic services are accessible to populations in critical need, thereby enhancing equity in healthcare access and outcomes.
Source & Image Credit: ECR 2025
