Functional imaging and radionuclide therapy in Tanzania: A narrative review of service delivery amidst an epidemiological transition

Document Type : Review Article

Authors

1 Department of Clinical Medicine, Institute of Health and Allied Sciences, Ruaha Catholic University, Iringa, Tanzania

2 Department of Imaging, Faculty of Medicine, University of Dodoma, Dodoma, Tanzania

Abstract

Introduction:  Nuclear medicine plays a critical role in functional and molecular imaging for cancer and cardiovascular disease; however, its development in Tanzania remains limited despite increasing demand driven by non-communicable diseases.
Methods: A narrative review was conducted using literature from PubMed, Google Scholar, African Journals Online, and institutional reports covering 2010–2026. Thirty-two sources were included and analyzed thematically under workforce, infrastructure, radiopharmaceutical supply chains, policy and governance, and financing.
Results: Nuclear medicine services are concentrated in urban referral hospitals, with limited geographic coverage. Major constraints include shortages of specialized personnel, lack of structured training programmes, limited availability of Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography and related hybrid imaging systems, dependence on imported short-lived radiopharmaceuticals, and insufficient integration into national health policy and financing mechanisms.
Conclusion: The growth of nuclear medicine in Tanzania is constrained by multiple interconnected health system challenges. Strengthening service delivery will require coordinated improvements in workforce training, imaging infrastructure, radiopharmaceutical logistics, and health system financing and governance.

Keywords

Main Subjects

References

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