Kudos TZ for HIFU
DAR ES SALAAM: ON Friday Media carried stories regarding Tanzania initiating the cutting-edge tumour treatment technology known as High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), marking the first time the service is available in East and Central Africa.
The service was officially launched by the Deputy Prime Minister who doubles as the Minister for Energy, Dr Doto Biteko at Kairuki Hospital, commending its founders, the late Dr Hubert Kairuki and his wife, for their visionary leadership in healthcare advancement.
Being the first in East and Central Africa, it will undoubtedly be of great support to victims of such a condition in the country and beyond.
HIFU is a non-invasive medical treatment that uses high-energy sound waves to heat and destroy targeted abnormal tissue, such as cancerous tumors or uterine fibroids, without damaging surrounding healthy cells.
The procedure, often guided by real-time imaging like MRI, precisely focuses the ultrasound to ablate the target volume, offering a quicker recovery and fewer side effects compared to traditional surgery or radiation, with applications in various cancers, bone pain and other conditions.
This is a remarkable achievement that places Tanzania on the map as a leader in non-invasive tumour removal. We commend all who put efforts in bringing about this service to Tanzania. They are bold efforts in improving healthcare services. The initiative will not only benefit patients but also contribute to national income.
It is worth noting that until last week, HIFU treatment was only available in three African countries, to wit, Egypt, Nigeria and South Africa.
How it works: Focusing the beam, a device called a transducer emits high-frequency sound waves. Heating the target, the waves are focused onto a precise, small area of abnormal tissue, generating enough heat to destroy the cells.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) or ultrasound imaging provides real-time visualisation to guide the treatment and monitor the temperature of the target area. Non-Invasive: The ultrasound waves pass through healthy tissue without causing harm until they reach their focal point, making it a non-surgical and non-invasive technique.
Key applications are for Cancer treatment, HIFU is a well-established treatment for various solid tumors, including prostate cancer, liver cancer (hepatocellular carcinoma), pancreatic and kidney tumors and breast cancer. It can also be used for pain from bone metastases.
The technique is also being used for conditions like uterine fibroids, soft-tissue sarcomas and movement disorders. There are several advantages: Non-invasive – no incisions or needles are required, leading to faster recovery and reduced risk of complications like blood loss. Kudos to all stakeholders.
