Abstract #0416
MRI advancement and research in Africa: Report on the Inaugural ISMRM African Chapter conference
Johnes Obungoloch1, Adesola Emmauel Adepoju2, Petronella Samuels3,4, Mary-Jane Orevaoghene Amadi5, Segun Joseph Ayilara 6, Mary Kamuzora 7, Klenam Dzefi-Tettey 8, Anthonia A Ikpeme 9, Frances Robertson3, Udunna Anazodo 10, Chip Truwit 11, Farouk Dako12, Andrew Webb13, Yaw B Mensah 8, Iris Asllani14,15, Ernesta Meintjes 3,16, and Godwin Ogbole2
1Mbarara University of Science and Technology, Mbarara, Uganda, Mbarara, Uganda, 2Department of Radiology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Ibadan, Nigeria, 3Biomedical Engineering Research Centre, Division of Biomedical Engineering, University of Cape Town, South Africa, Cape Town, South Africa, 4Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, South Africa, CapeTown, South Africa, 5Rivers State University Teaching Hospital, Port Harcourt, Nigeria, 6Department of Radiology, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, 7Department of Radiology, Muhimbili National Hospital-Mloganzila, Dar-es-salaam, Tanzania, 8Department of Radiology, Korle Bu Teaching Hospital, Accra, Ghana, 9Department of Radiology, University of Calabar teaching Hospital, Calabar, Nigeria, 10Montreal Neurological Institute, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada, 11Hyperfine Inc, St. Guilford, CT, United States, 12Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, United States, 13C. J. Gorter MRI Center, Department of Radiology, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands, 14Clinical Imaging Science Centre, University of Sussex,, Sussex, United Kingdom, 15Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rochester Institute of Technology, Rochester, NY, United States, 16Cape Universities Body Imaging Centre, University of Cape Town, CapeTown, South Africa
Synopsis
Keywords: Low-Field MRI, Low-Field MRI, Networking, Innovation
Motivation: Due to rising non-communicable diseases, limited MRI accessibility, and Africa's underrepresentation in ISMRM, the African Chapter (AC) was founded in 2023. An inaugural conference in Ghana focused on emerging MRI technology for improved accessibility.
Goal(s): To provide the inaugural conference report of AC-ISMRM, with the identification of challenges and barriers to MRI access and propose solutions toward democratization of MRI across Africa.
Approach: A white paper approach was adopted
Results: Over 100 scientists from 12 African countries met to identify challenges and propose solutions for advancing MRI access and value in Africa. Low-field MRI was identified as a breakthrough innovation toward this goal.
Impact: The AC-ISMRM conference marks a pioneer event, convening African scientists and clinicians, aimed at establishing a network dedicated to rectify Africa's underrepresentation in MRI research, seeking solutions to challenges on the continent and promoting collaboration and MRI advancements
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