Nicaragua Project

The UW RAD-AID Chapter launched its Nicaragua project in 2014 by collaborating with its in-country partner AMOS Health and Hope in Managua, Nicaragua. An initial trip in May 2014, served as the first radiology outreach team to Nicaragua to assess clinical radiology services. In 2015 and 2016 the UW Madison Department of Radiology led several trips to Managua, Matagalpa, and surrounding rural communities of El Ayote, and Banco de Sikia in the RAAS region of Nicaragua to serve its underserved population. Through the generous donations of the department of radiology faculty, the UW RAD-AID chapter donated and delivered a portable ultrasound machine with abdominal, superficial and transvaginal probes and set up a local ultrasound out-patient clinic with ongoing salary-support for a local Nicaraguan radiologist one day a week. A desktop computer with printer and a local picture archiving and communication system (PACS) was set up for bilingual record keeping and report generations. Promoting radiology education is a big component of the UW Radiology department’s mission and every trip included educational seminars in both public and private radiology residencies in Managua. UW Radiology faculty also participated in local health care workers educational seminars to promote prenatal health and breast cancer screening.

A google map showing flight line and time from Madison to Managua, 8 hours and 45 minutes, versus two 57 hour driving options

In late Feburary 2015, our team made the 2,100-mile trek from Madison to Managua for the second annual RAD-AID Nicaragua trip.

a corner of a room showing a mini-PACS and ultrasound system

Upon arrival in Managua they got right to work, setting up the Mini-PACS and ultrasound systems.

Christina Hendricks speaking to a patient with observers

Sonographer Christina Hendricks speaks to a patient through an interpreter.

4-panel images of Managua: upper left, a sign that says Clinica; upper right, an arched 1-story building; lower right, two 3-wheeled small open-sided vehicles; lower left, looking out to water at a sandy beach and pier

The scenery surrounding the clinic in Managua.

After a 7-hour ride into rural eastern Nicaragua, 4 members of the group arrived in El Ayote. There, they scanned 19 OB patients, some of whom who traveled nearly 8 hours on horseback to get there!

While part of the group was in Nicaragua, Drs. Ruby and Elezaby were forging relationships with local radiology residencies.

teaching residents and staff at Hospital Bautista

After a brief visit to Bertha Calderon, the main public women’s hospital, they spent their time giving lectures and showing cases to residents and staff at Hospital Bautista in Managua.

A fresh fruit and vegetable Market in Managua, with tarps overhead and a vendor holding a young child in her arms

They also got to explore Managua, including this vibrant market.

Get Involved

If you are interested in getting involved with the UW RAD-AID Chapter, email us at radaidmadison@gmail.com.