Mama Lucy Hospital to commission advanced CT scanner to boost diagnosis

The Philips Incisive CT scanner is expected to enhance the hospital’s ability to detect and assess a wide range of medical conditions, providing clinicians with detailed images to guide treatment decisions.

The equipment incorporates artificial intelligence-powered features designed to improve scanning efficiency, including automated patient positioning, motion correction for cardiac imaging and real-time needle tracking for image-guided procedures.

Mama Lucy Kibaki Hospital Chief Executive Officer Dr Fredrick Obwanda said the investment was part of ongoing efforts to modernise the facility’s diagnostic infrastructure and improve healthcare delivery to residents of Nairobi and surrounding areas.

“The commissioning of this 160-slice CT scanner is an important milestone in strengthening our radiology department. We are investing in modern diagnostic technology to improve the quality of services we offer, support our medical teams in making informed decisions and ensure patients can access essential imaging services at our facility,” said Dr Obwanda.

The scanner is designed to support examinations involving the brain, chest, abdomen, blood vessels and other parts of the body, depending on the clinical requirements.

Its features include patient-side gantry controls that allow radiographers to operate many scanning functions from beside the patient, potentially reducing the time needed to complete imaging procedures.

The manufacturer says its OnPlan workflow can reduce time to results by up to 19 per cent. The system also incorporates dose-management technologies designed to optimise radiation exposure while maintaining the image quality required for clinical assessment.

Dr Obwanda said the equipment would help improve the efficiency and reliability of radiology services while supporting timely, evidence-based treatment.

“Our goal is to make our services more efficient, reliable and responsive to the needs of our patients. By strengthening our diagnostic capacity through modern equipment, we are working to improve access to specialised investigations and support timely, evidence-based treatment,” he said.

The installation forms part of the hospital’s broader efforts to upgrade its medical equipment and infrastructure as public health facilities seek to improve the quality and accessibility of healthcare services.

The scanner is expected to be officially commissioned in the coming days, marking a further step in the hospital’s efforts to strengthen diagnostic services and improve patient care.