The First Pan-African Survey of Interventional Pulmonology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Interventional pulmonology (IP) is essential for managing thoracic diseases, yet its global distribution remains unequal. This study aimed to map IP across Africa by evaluating practice availability, training pathways, and barriers to development. METHODS: A cross-sectional electronic survey was conducted among interventional pulmonologists practicing in Africa between October and December 2025. Data were collected on institutional IP capacity, technique availability, training background, and perceived obstacles across the 5 African subregions. RESULTS: Fifty-one interventional pulmonologists from 16 countries participated, covering all 5 African subregions. Dedicated IP units were reported by 49.0% of respondents, with availability ranging from 75.0% in Northern Africa to 0.0% in Central Africa. Common techniques included medical thoracoscopy and rigid bronchoscopy (each 80.0%), while radial endobronchial ultrasound remained rare (24.0%). A significant training gap was identified: 49.0% of respondents had no structured IP training, and among those trained, 84.6% received training outside Africa. The primary barrier was equipment lack (34.0%), followed by high costs and training deficits. Despite these challenges, 98% of respondents rated local demand as medium to very high, and 92% of existing units performed procedures weekly, though 39.4% of patients faced wait times exceeding 1 week. CONCLUSION: Africa faces a significant IP capacity gap driven by regional disparities and structural barriers. Sustainable development will require indigenous training hubs and prioritization of cost-effective technologies to meet growing clinical demand.