Concerns have been expressed by stakeholders in the health sector over the dwindling number of X-ray experts, known as radiographers.
The concerns were expressed just as the training arm of Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN), Nigerian Institute of Radiographers, said it would train more sonographers (allied healthcare professionals) to serve the growing population better. The current number of radiographers is fewer than 5,000.
The training, according to the institute, would tackle the dwindling number of experts, curb quackery and foster practice in Nigeria,
They stated this recently during the launch of the ultrasound equipment donated by Mindray Healthcare China, worth N60 million at the RRBN Lagos Zonal Office Yaba.
The Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of RRBN, Prof Mark Okeji, during the handover, lauded the representatives of Mindray for the donation, which, he said, was a great encouragement for in-country training of the health workforce for efficient healthcare delivery to the citizens.
He noted that the donated machine would also save the foreign exchange required in training outside the shores of Nigeria.
“Today’s event is a culmination of the series of meetings between the team from the Mindray Healthcare, China, and the leadership of the RRBN towards a symbiotic relationship in fostering ultrasound training and practice in Nigeria, using the state-of- the-art equipment from Mindray Company. The project is in line with the agenda of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare,” he said.
According to the don, the equipment will enhance the practical and didactic learning experience of the students in the ultrasound school and equip them with the necessary skills.
Okeji lamented that Nigeria did not have enough radiographers to serve its population and that the board was making necessary efforts to increase the number towards aiding Nigeria in her quest to achieve Universal Health Coverage (UHC).
“We don’t have enough radiographers and sonographers and currently we have fewer than 5,000 radiographers in Nigeria. For 220 million people having only 5,000 serving them is suboptimal so the market is huge and so what the board is doing now is in line with the agenda of the President to train more people within the country to serve the population in order to achieve the Universal Health Coverage (UHC) in Nigeria.”
The registrar also appealed to their partner for more assistance in acquiring five more ultrasound equipment to serve the training schools in other geo-political zones. This, he said, would ensure further penetration into the Nigerian market and more training of sonographers.
The Country Manager, Mindray Healthcare China, Mr Tyson, during the event, stated that the company had been in the market of healthcare equipment for over ten years and that Nigeria was one of their biggest markets in Africa.
