The role of imaging diagnostics in developing countries

The Disease Control Priorities in Developing Countries book has a chapter on Skin Diseases. The introduction states, “In assigning health priorities, skin diseases are sometimes thought of, in planning terms, as small-time players in the global league of illness compared with diseases that cause significant mortality, such as HIV/AIDS, community-acquired pneumonias, and tuberculosis. However, skin problems are generally among the most common diseases seen in primary care settings in tropical areas, and in some regions where transmissible diseases such as tinea imbricata or onchocerciasis are endemic, they become the dominant presentation.”

I admit that when I think about diseases and the need to diagnose these diseases, skin diseases don’t jump immediately to my mind. However, common skin diseases such as acne affect the quality of life just as much as other common conditions like diabetes, arthritis, and asthma. Often, skin diseases can lead to disfigurement and can result in social isolation and exclusion. One of the main problems is that primary care facilities in many developing countries simply don’t have the capacity to diagnose of treat these issues. Beyond skin diseases, diagnostic imaging is needed to diagnose conditions internally, like tuberculosis, for instance.

It is encouraging, however, to see that groups such as the World Health Imaging, Telemedicine & Infomatics Alliance (WHITIA) created key partnerships earlier this year in order to allow the group to ramp up efforts to bring digital imaging technology to sites in resource-poor areas around the world. Last month WHITIA was named one of the most 25 influential in radiology for its efforts to bring low-cost, sustainable X-ray technology to developing countries.

The partnerships formed with Sedecal  and Carestream Medical, among others, are allowing the group to provide X-ray machines (Sedecal Optima WHIS-RAD X-Ray) and computed radiography scanners (Carestream CR 260) to small clinics currently in South Africa and Guatemala. These technologies can be used to help clinics diagnose patients problems such as acute respiratory infections, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, tuberculosis, pneumonia, and trauma cases.

Their model aims to be sustainable, and prevent the typical problems of technology being brought to developing countries with no technical support. Their website claims that needs assessments, training, and ongoing support are part of their sustainability model. I am curious to see how the partnerships and execution of this initiative end up. I also wonder how the many clinics around the world in need of such technologies can find reach out to groups like WHITIA and gain access to these technologies.

Photo credit: http://www.synthstuff.com/mt/archives/2009/xray_42.jpg