WEO Africa Outreach Training Activities 2026
Report: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania Training Activities 2026
Author and Tutor: Darshan Parekh
Overview
The training course in Dar es Salaam was a three-day event consisting of live demonstrations, case discussions, and hands-on sessions. It involved approximately 20 participants, including senior doctors, fellows, and nursing staff from Muhimbili Hospital. The course aimed to enhance practical endoscopy skills and strengthen the local team’s clinical practice while providing opportunities for networking and cultural exchange. Logistics, including meals and coffee breaks, were well organized, facilitating seamless interaction between participants and tutors.
I was accompanied by Mr. Andreas Jung from Micro-Tech who supplied numerous accessories for the program. As a highly experienced and knowledgeable professional, he provided detailed insights regarding accessories, offered suggestions for unit improvements, and assisted during live cases.
Hospital and unit equipment
The C-arm machine was functional for this session. After constant follow-up with the administration, a CO2 cylinder with compatible fittings for the insufflator was made available. However, few endoscopes are now nonfunctional compared with the last visit, and those in use require maintenance. There is significant "play" in the bending angles of all scopes, and the primary X1 upper endoscope has a faulty air–water channel.
Ergonomically, the unit is challenging: each tower has a single monitor located behind the endoscopist. Despite initial resistance, I suggested relocating a monitor from an unused tower to face the operator, which was implemented from Day 2 onwards. The biomedical engineer, Mr. Moyo, was present throughout and was highly efficient in solving technical issues. Guest wi-fi was provided upon request, though the signal remained sketchy and required frequent reconnection.
Special recognition goes to the anesthetist, Dr. Fortunatus Chuwa, and the chief technician, Mr. Francis, both of whom were proactive, motivated, and highly efficient in their respective roles.
Training course
Duration: Three days, January 26–28, 2026.
Participants: Gastroenterology faculty, fellows, and nursing staff from Muhimbili Hospital; surgical faculty; an X-ray technician; and a nurse-anesthetist from Benjamin Mkapa Hospital, Dodoma.
Cases: The following cases were performed:
– Day 1
· ERCP for CBD stone (demonstration).
· Band ligation for esophageal varices (demonstration + hands-on).
– Day 2
· ERCP for CBD stone (hands-on insertion + demonstration).
· Esophageal stricture dilation (hands-on).
· Foreign body removal (hands-on).
· Large gastric polypectomy with endoclip hemostasis (demonstration + hands-on).
– Day 3
· Achalasia cardia: A POEM procedure was attempted but abandoned due to severe bleeding following the mucosal incision. The Erbe VIO 300s machine’s soft coagulation mode was nonfunctional, leaving only "dry cut" available. The incision was closed, and hands-on training was provided for endoclip application.
· ERCP stenting: Advanced malignant hilar block (demonstration).
Each case included a pre-procedure briefing on required accessories and a step-by-step technical explanation. Detailed discussions were held with the anesthesia team regarding drug choices and potential complications.
Meetings
We held a welcome meeting with Dr. Faraja Chiwanga (Acting Director of Medical Services) to discuss course objectives and future collaborations. Additionally, Andreas Jung from Micro-Tech hosted a rooftop dinner for all staff, fostering cultural exchange and discussions regarding various medical systems.
This report was prepared by Dr. Darshan Parekh, interventional gastroenterologist, advanced endoscopist, and WEO Tutor.
The World Endoscopy Organization would like to sincerely thank Olympus and Micro-Tech for their invaluable support of this educational program and for their continued contributions to advancing gastroenterology services across Africa.
