A professor of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Leicester, United Kingdom, Justin Konje, has raised the alarm that many health professionals who use ultrasound scan machine engage in wrong diagnosis.

 

Konje, who spoke at the fourth edition of the International Ultrasound Scan and Doppler training programme in Lagos, said that misdiagnosis occurs because many of the operators of machines were ill equipped.

 

He said, “The ultrasound scan is an important diagnostic equipment. While it is very useful, it can also be a dangerous weapon in the hands of those who are not trained to use it because they will give wrong diagnosis of the patient.”

 

Dr. Osric Navti also of the University of Leicester Hospital, urged patients to always shun quacks while seeking medical attention.

 

Navti said, “If a pregnant woman whose baby’s placenta is in the wrong place goes for scanning in the hands of someone who doesn’t understand ultrasound, there is the likelihood that misinterpretation will occur. If the pregnant woman does not see a professional, she may end up having complications during delivery because of wrong ultrasound scan interpretation. We really have such cases in Nigeria.”

 

 

The Chief Medical Director, Eko Hospitals, Lagos, Dr. Olusegun Odukoya, in his remarks, decried the lack of implementation in the guidelines for the use of medical equipment in the country.

 

For instance, Odukoya said it was high time the government begun to regulate importation of medical equipment to the country.

 

“Questions must be asked on the type of machine one is bringing in and what is the minimum standard the machine must attain before it comes into the country.

 

“That is where the government comes in, because no matter what we do, if the government, as one of the stakeholders, does not key in, then it is not going to work.

 

“There was a directive that certain people should not be performing certain procedures but we have quacks that are performing the same procedures and no one is checking that,” he said.

 

By: BUKOLA ADEBAYO 

THE PUNCH