Association harps on need for increased professionalism in radiography practice

The Chairman, Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) Lagos Branch, Mrs Opeoluwa Oduwole, has called for increased professionalism in the dispensation of ionising radiation for the safety of patients and the general public.

Oduwole, made the call at a public lecture organised by the association to mark the 2022 World Radiography Day on  Friday in Lagos on the theme: “Radiographers At The Forefront Of Patient Safety”.

She stated that  to render activities of quacks irrelevant in radiography practice, high level of professionalism and efficiency were expected of radiographers in the course of discharging their duties.

According to her, this is because radiation is a double-edged sword, which is so vital in the diagnosis, treatment and management of diseases but very harmful if ignorantly handled by quacks.

She said, “The safe application of radiation in medicine therefore lies with Radiographers.

“In line with the overwhelming need for safety in radiography practice, ARN Lagos State has not been resting. It has maintained a robust relationship with Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) and HEFAMMA, in the monitoring and inspection of radio-diagnostic facilities in Lagos State.

“And we will continue to sustain quality service delivery with maximum safety of patients and the general public”.

The ARN Chairman, however, listed some of the demands of the association to include; that more Radiographers should be employed by Lagos State Ministry of Health to meet up with the demand for radiography services.

Others were that radiographers should be included as Stakeholders, along with other Health Professsionals in Lagos state Ministry of Health decision making bodies. This is to ensure effective supervision and coordination of radiography practice;

And that welfare of radiographers, along with that of other health professionals should be improved upon to stem the current flight of manpower in the Nigerian health sector.

The former Executive Registrar of RRBN,  Mr RSJ Babatunde, said that patients were entitled to radiation safety and protection especially when physically present in the X-ray department or mobile XRays are moved to his place in the wards.

Babatunde, also a keynote speaker at the programme, said that the patient’s right to his personal safety and  those of his companions and  accompanying properties were guaranteed by law.

He explained that patient enjoys remedies in law when his rights were denied or violated.

According to him, a patient is entitled to all kinds of safety including safety from physical assaults, fire hazards as well as professional handling and courtesy anywhere in the hospital environment.

“All staff owe the client, a duty of care at every point or station. But only the radiographer, owes an extra duty of care of radiation safety directly to the patient/client.

 

 

“The patient,  accompanying staff and relations,  are all under the protection of the radiographer, when they are present in the X-ray department.

“It is the professional responsibility of the radiographer to protect everyone in the department at any point in time including, the Raiologists, Radiographers , Nurses and others,” Babatunde said.

Also speaking, the Chairman, organising committee of the programme, Mr Humphrey Ugwu, said the theme was apt as it puts radiographers in check of their responsibilities to themselves, their patients and the general public at large.

According to him, the cancer scourge has become a global health challenge hence the need for well-trained medical/health professionals in handling ionizing radiation and being empowered to be in charge of all radiation sources in the health facilities.

“Moreover, radiography practice in Nigeria following the global trend has grown from routine chest and bone X-ray to the more complex procedures of computed tomography, magnetic Resonance imaging, Ultrasound, Positron Emission Tomography, Nuclear medicine and Radiotherapy.

“These have contributed to the improvement in health care delivery in both diagnosis and treatment of diseases,” Ugwu said.