Mulago National Referral Hospital has launched Uganda’s first-ever Cardiac MRI service, marking a major milestone in the country’s healthcare system.
The state-of-the-art scanning technology, introduced in partnership with the Uganda Heart Institute, is expected to significantly reduce the financial burden on Ugandans who have long relied on foreign hospitals for advanced cardiac testing.
The new Cardiac MRI offers a non-invasive way to capture highly detailed images of the heart and blood vessels using strong magnetic fields and radio waves.
With this advancement, specialists can now diagnose and monitor a wide range of heart conditions without the need for patients to travel abroad.
The technology is particularly vital for identifying congenital heart defects, heart valve disorders, and abnormalities in the heart muscle.
It can also detect tumors or unusual growths around the heart, providing clarity in cases that previously required costly external referrals.
Beyond diagnosis, the Cardiac MRI is essential in assessing damage caused by heart attacks, helping doctors understand the extent of injury and the underlying causes of heart failure.
The scan produces precise measurements of how well the heart is pumping, evaluates the size and thickness of the heart walls, and offers a full 3D view of the organ’s structure and blood flow.
With the launch of this service, Mulago has positioned itself as a regional leader in cardiac care, providing Ugandans with access to world-class heart imaging closer to home while strengthening the country’s capacity to manage complex heart conditions.
