Expert tasks hospitals on standards in radiography

Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) on Friday tasked hospitals with X-ray units on standards and quality in the dispensation of ionising radiation.

The Deputy Director, RRBN, Mr Chidiebere Thaddeus, said this on the sidelines of a sensitisation programme organised by the board in Lagos.

Thaddeus said that standard/quality was key in radiation practices for the safety of patients.

He said to ensure standardised radiation delivery, the services of professional, certified and qualified radiographers and right machines must be engaged.

Thaddeus warned that patients might contract cancer, cataract or leukemia in the course of their earthly existence if they receive X-rays from unqualified personnel.

He noted that the board’s visit across public and private health facilities in the country showed that many of them were operating below standard.

Thaddeus said many of them were operating with unqualified radiographers, obsolete machines and unhealthy working environment.

He stated that any radiation machine above 10 years in operation was regarded as obsolete by the Board and should be discarded for a new one.

“It is quite absurd to note that most state, private and Federal Government-owned hospitals and diagnostic centres are grossly understaffed despite the fact that there are more than enough qualified radiographers out there looking for employment.

“It may interest you to know that for a busy unit (not a department) to run a 24-hour schedule in radiography services, a minimum of five professional radiographers and one radiologist are required.

“And for a department that has a general X-ray, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), dental, theatre radiography, ultrasound unit, a minimum of 20 radiographers and five radiologists are required.

“But how many stakeholders can boast of 10 or more radiographers and required number of radiologists in her employment.

“Hence, we encourage both private and public hospital administrators to match equipment acquisition with commensurate number of professionals (radiographers and radiologists),” he said.

Thaddeus said anybody or organisation that fails to comply with the stimulation would definitely face the full wrath of the law.

saying that the Board was currently handling such cases and even charged some to court as the case maybe.

“The board will seal any diagnostic centre observed to be operating below the standard. And it is ready to open them as soon as they comply and the requirements provided.

“The objective is to have efficient radiography practice in the country where both the practitioners and patients will be proud of diagnostic services and patients will receive value for their money.

'This will consequently reduce brain drain and medical tourism,” he said.