Distinguished colleagues, I am delighted to felicitate with you on this year’s occasion of World Radiography day celebration. It is pertinent to remind us that World Radiography day is celebrated annually on 8th of November to commemorate the day Professor Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen discovered X-ray in 1895. Radiographers across the world hold the day important and very close to their hearts. It reminds us of the day our profession was born and presents an opportunity for us to appraise the current standard of practice with a view to improving service excellence. 

 

The International Society of Radiographers and Radiologic Technologists (ISRRT), as the voice of Radiation Medicine Technology throughout the world, has adopted “Radiography… Advancing Imaging and Healing globally” as the international theme for this year’s celebration

 

In Nigeria, the world Radiography day is celebrated in each of the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory. Each branch is expected to reach out to the members of the public to create awareness about the profession, chart new ways of service delivery in order to enhance the practice of medical imaging and radiation therapy.

 

There are few challenges facing us in Nigeria at present among which are:

a. Few numbers of practising Radiographers in Nigeria (less than 2000 Radiographers). For Diagnostic Radiography this is however being addressed with increase in the number of Universities offering the course now. Therapy Radiographers are in acute short supply with less than 30 trained therapy Radiographers in Nigeria now. These specialists use radiation for the treatment of cancer (Radiotherapy). With the increase in cancer cases in Nigeria, there is urgent need to have the required number of professionals to combat the scourge. We are calling on Government to partner with us in order to increase the training centres for therapy Radiographers. 

 

b. Autonomy in Government Hospitals; we call on the Federal Ministry of Health to create a separate department for Radiographers in Teaching, Specialist and General Hospitals to enhance professionalism, ensure adequate use of Government resources by people who are trained in it and reduce inter-professional acrimony. 

 

c. Quackery in Radiography practice; there are several diagnostic centres in Nigeria where quacks are recruited to expose Nigerians to radiation. The actions of these quacks if not checked may predispose the hapless Nigerians to cancers. We are calling on the Federal Government to support the effort of Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN) in combating this monster.

 

In conclusion I urge every Radiographer to be ready to acquire training to develop his diagnostic/therapy skills and improve on his research capability. You must exude confidence and aspire to become experts in your specialty for diagnosis and treatment of diseases in Nigeria. You must be ready to imbibe the culture of striving for excellence and mastery of application of current modalities. Never to cut corners because the world is watching us. 

 

Education and adequate training holds the key for attainment of all these goals. We must determine the knowledge and skills base needed for the effective and efficient performance of our professional obligations in Nigeria. It is not to be dictated by outsiders. We should never allow anybody to cow us nor inflict inferiority mentality on us.

It is heartening to note that job prospects will continue to increase with the expansion of the Healthcare System and advances in medical imaging equipments. Let us act with common purpose to guard our profession and lift it to enviable heights.

 

Happy celebration to you all!

Dr. Mark C. Okeji, National President, 

Association of Radiographers of Nigeria. Council member, ISRRT.