CIRSE Fellowship report: Dr. Himidi Mwaitele
I am Dr. Himidi Mwaitele, a newly graduated Interventional Radiologist from Muhimbili University in Tanzania, where I did my IR fellowship for two years. Despite completing my fellowship locally, there are many gaps I needed to fill due to the limitations we have in my home country, from the range of procedures offered to financial limitations. The lack of funding affects the availability of consumables, and a lack of consumables limits the number of procedures available. A vicious cycle. The IR is still new in the country, with the first cohort of IR fellows in 2019; hence, general awareness of IR is still low, from both the financing bodies to the referring departments.
Me at GUH
IR staff and residents at GUH
Motivation
During my two years of fellowship, I was trained by both local and visiting attendings. We reserved some of the high-end vascular and non-vascular cases only for when the visiting attendings came. I felt I needed to go abroad someday to learn more from the source.
I chose Galway University Hospital (GUH) in Ireland because I got a recommendation from a friend and colleague of mine, Dr. Agboola Ajiboola, who had been at GUH last October. The erratic weather was a bit challenging initially, but I got used to it in a few days. I do not regret my choice.
Main goals
As highlighted above, coming from a resource-scarce facility, I needed more exposure to high-end procedures such as advanced endovascular procedures as well as non-vascular procedures. My ambitions were to gain more exposure to oncological interventions, pain management, and venous interventions.
With Dr Cormac
Giving a talk on IR in Tanzania
The four weeks at Galway University Hospital
Dr Cormac O’Brien is an amazing mentor. He was involved from the initial application process to the visa application until I finally met him in person at GUH in June 2026. I was warmly welcomed, given a department tour and introduction to the team, including the Chief, Prof Gerald O’Sullivan.
I was closely involved in day-to-day cases by all 6 IR attendings, namely: Dr Cormac O’Brien, Prof Gerald O’Sullivan, Dr Matthew Mullins, Dr Declan Shepard, Dr Davidson and Dr George. Furthermore, the support I received from the nursing staff and the techs was equally amazing.
There were cases which I observed and/or assisted at GUH that we have not been doing at my home facility, such as catheter-directed pulmonary artery embolectomy, ultrasound-guided prostate biopsies, gastric tube placement under fluoro guidance, antegrade ureteric double J stent placement, and microwave ablation of tumours.
Moreover, working with the above attendings under the supervision of Dr Cormac O’Brien (who would make sure I get a cup of hot chocolate in between cases!) gave me the opportunity to assist in many advanced vascular procedures, both arterial and venous cases. Such cases are catheter-directed deep vein thrombectomies, including in-stent thrombectomy and venoplasty of the iliofemoral veins, sharp recanalization of the right iliofemoral vein with Prof Gerard O’Sullivan, prostate artery and uterine fibroid embolization with Dr Cormac O’Brien, and left gonadal vein embolization with Dr Mullins, to mention just a few.
Availability of various consumables made it possible to perform high-end procedures with ease. No difficulty was faced during a procedure because of a lack of consumables or equipment.
I was thrilled by the teamwork shown by the staff throughout my stay, the way they run the corridor, making sure every patient or staff member from other departments is attended to immediately. Meanwhile, patient preparation, procedures, and post-procedure monitoring are going on smoothly. To achieve this, the team ensured that every staff member is available at their assigned unit at all times, quite autonomously. Above all, there is a high level of respect cutting across all, regardless of titles.
Above all, the way the team is sensitive to double-checking the accuracy of patient information before a procedure is something to compliment. This ensures that the right patient will receive the right intervention.
With Dr George
With the nursing team
Take home message
Firstly, my skills have improved from this one-month exposure to the high-level facility, and I’ll be able to do the procedures with more confidence and efficiency.
Secondly, I am now ready to start performing the procedures that we did not have before, such as double J ureteric stenting, gastric tube placement, and prostate biopsies under ultrasound guidance. Also, I will write a proposal to buy a microwave ablation machine for the same.
Thirdly, the teamwork and work attitude. I will copy the pattern despite the shortage of manpower, but achieving even part of what I have observed at GUH will definitely bring a bigger impact to patient care at my home facility. This includes a smooth running of the corridor and double-checking the patient information before the procedure is performed.
Lastly, a word of wisdom from Prof Gerard O’Sullivan regarding the hesitancy of the referring physicians for fear that IR would eventually take away their clients: the best way is to present IR as the assistance for their emergencies, for instance, controlling the blood loss in post-partum hemorrhage by embolization, hence blending in as a partner they need, instead of a competitor they would hate.
At the Cliffs of Moher
Dublin sightseeing
Outside GUH
My 4 weeks were not limited to the hospital. I got time to explore Galway, including the Salt Hill Beach, tasting the Irish potato at its home ground, and a pint of Guinness! I had time to visit the Cliffs of Moher using a city tour bus, and finally got a day to marvel at the beauty of Dublin. The experience was simply awesome!
Challenges
Despite the above positive feedback, the accommodation rent was higher than expected, making it difficult to secure a private, comfortable space even after topping up some money.
Conclusion
Lastly, I would like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to CIRSE for starting this program and also giving me the chance as a beneficiary, for which I am going to be an ambassador for CIRSE in my country through my refined IR practice.