Kazakhstan’s Public Hospitals Implementing Digital Mammography

A high-volume tabletop computed radiography (CR) system that can tackle both digital mammography and general radiography applications is being implemented in a move toward digitization in hospitals in Kazakhstan.

Agfa HealthCare (Mortsel, Belgium) reported that it has won a competitive tender by the Ministry of Health in Kazakhstan (Astana) to digitize mammography services in the nation's public hospitals. This is the second large tender won by Agfa HealthCare Kazakhstan: in 2008, 43 CR 25 systems were implemented as part of a telemedicine program.

Under the contract, signed in July 2013, 63 CR 30-Xm computed radiography (CR) systems will be installed in hospitals of various sizes around the country combined with Agfa HealthCare’s Drystar AXYS, a high resolution, high throughput, dual-media size, dry hardcopy imager optimized for digital mammography. This project is part of the national breast-screening program to identify breast cancer earlier, within the national oncology program. Agfa HealthCare has collaborated with the Ministry of Health in Kazakhstan since 2007, when the company won a telemedicine tender for 25 CR 25 high-volume CR systems, with networking capabilities that provide smooth integration.

For the digital mammography tender, Agfa HealthCare was chosen because it offered the best price and service. Service and installation will be handled by the local Agfa HealthCare regional office.

Agfa HealthCare’s CR 30-Xm is a versatile CR digitizer that can handle both digital mammography and all general radiography applications. Its low total cost of ownership makes it a cost-effective way to go digital. It is a suitable system for any hospital or private practice that wants a single, digital solution for carrying out the maximum number of types of studies.

The CR 30-Xm reads CR mammography imaging plates at 20 pixels/mm, and general radiography plates at the high resolution of 10 pixels/mm. The latest Musica intelligent image processing software automatically delivers a quality image. “Agfa Kazakhstan is very proud to contribute to the success of the national breast screening program,” commented Aman Janabayev, head of the regional office in Kazakhstan. “Increasing the early detection rate for breast cancer is very important. With its high image quality, the CR 30-Xm systems can have an important positive impact on the lives of women here.”

Related Links:
Agfa HealthCare
Kazakhstan Ministry of Health