Aisha Buhari tasks Radiographers on diagnostic computers

Association seeks review of medical equipment import tax

The Wife of the President, Mrs. Aisha Muhammadu Buhari, on Thursday charged Radiographers in the country to periodically update their knowledge on the use of complex diagnostic procedures for the benefit of Nigerians.

She made the call during the opening ceremony of the 50th annual conference/scientific workshop of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, in Abuja.

According to her, the importance of Radiographers in healthcare delivery especially in diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as cancer cannot be overstated.

She was represented at the conference themed: “The evolution in Radiography practice and the obligation of the practitioners and the public,” by the wife of the former governor of Katsina State, Mrs. Mercy Shema.

She said “Radiography practice worldwide and Nigeria in particular have over the years grown from the routine chest and bone x-ray to the more complex diagnostic procedures of Computer Tomography scan, (CT scan), Magnetic Resonance Imaging, (MRI), Ultrasound Scanning, Positron Emission Tomography, (PET) and radiation treatment techniques such as the use of Nuclear Medicine and Radiotherapy thus, contributing immensely to healthcare delivery both in diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

“There is no doubt such unprecedented development will require training and retraining of the practitioners if the benefits of these new tools are to be harnessed. Let me at this point therefore call on the practitioners of radiography to periodically update their knowledge on the use of these new tools for the benefit of the public.” she added

The Radiographers also appealed to the Federal Government to review tax on medical equipment especially import policies on x-ray equipment, accessories and consumables.

Most of the equipment, they noted, have heavy metals as well as radioactive sources subjected to same screenings as arms and ammunition thereby making the process cumbersome and expensive.

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The President of the association, Elizabeth Balogun, called on the Federal Government and the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, to match the aggressive program of medical/radiographic equipment acquisition embarked upon especially in the FCT with a commensurate employment and training of the much needed manpower (Radiographers), diagnostic and therapeutic, to complement the delivery of service to teeming patients that have rights to healthcare.

She also appealed that tax on medical equipment especially import policies on x-ray equipment, accessories and consumables be looked into.

“These expenses are eventually transferred to the poor masses thereby making the services very expensive,” she stated.

The grand patron of the Association and Chairman of the occasion, Senator Ike Nwachukwu tasked members to improve in the profession in the way they carry out their professional duties as it  would rub off on the treatment of patients by the medical doctors.