The first ever Interventional Radiology Conference has been held in Ghana with the aim of offering Ghanaians an alternative to surgical operations.

It was also aimed at helping people to be abreast with current trends in Interventional Radiology (IR) which in the long term would benefit Ghanaians.

The programme which was organised in Accra on Wednesday brought together a cross section of medical doctors from various hospitals.

The doctors were taking through various topics on how Interventional Radiology can help in certain medical conditions.

Topics treated include; the role of IR in Gynaecology, role of IR in Surgery and Medicine, role of IR in Oncology, among others.

Speaking to the media, Dr Benjamin Dabo Sarkodie, the only Ghanaian Endovascular and Interventional Radiologist said many Ghanaian patients go through fear and anxiety when surgical operation is mention because of the cutting, pain and long recovery period associated with it.

He said an Interventional Radiology treatment which does not involve cutting of the body brings hope to many.

He said it was important for doctors to know about the procedure, adding that when that happens they could tell their patients how the procedure could help them.

He explained that the concept behind Interventional Radiology was to diagnose and treat patients using the least invasive techniques currently available in order to minimise risk to the patient and improve health outcomes.

“Interventional radiology treatments offer less risk, less pain and less recovery time compared to conventional surgery”, he said.

Explaining the procedure, he said, “all we need is minimal invasive, meaning we use a small hole or cut under image guidance. With the small incision, we are able to do a lot of work under image guidance.

“In the past people who have diabetes and have certain wounds or non-healing ulcers on their legs had their legs amputated or chopped off surgically to save their lives but with Interventional Radiology we can open up some vessels to restore blood flow and save their limbs,” he added.

Dr Sarkodie said the advantages of Interventional Radiology was that patients get shorter stay in the hospital and in some cases patients can go home immediately after some of the procedures.

“An example is that someone with a fibroid can be treated and can be at work in three days time without cuts or scars. I must add that there is a wide array of things that can be done with interventional radiology,” he explained.

He said government can help by getting more people to train in Interventional Radiology, and get more equipment because they do not have all the necessary equipment at the moment.

He, however, said fortunately they were instaling some of the equipment at the Cardio Centre at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and the new University of Ghana Hospital.

Professor Dr Ahmed Ahidjo, the first trained Nigerian Interventional Radiologist who shared the Nigerian experience with the doctors, said it was not easy starting the procedure in his country.

“When we started the government at the time was not ready to invest in the area and all forms of strides did not materialise. We had to contact senior doctors and explain to them before we could start the hospital mobilisation”, he said.

After being able to mobilise some money they were able to establish Interventional Radiology Department in Nigeria.

He added that through the procedure they have been able to save lives, and given hope to some patients.

Dr Ahidjo and his team have been able to conduct many interventional procedures such as angioplasty and stenting in various parts of the body, embolization of malignant tumours like fibroids among others.

The conference was also used to inaugurate the Ghana Society of Interventional Radiology which consists of radiographers, radiologists, nurses and other personalities.