Medical experts in Nigeria have warned that only trained and licensed professionals should handle medical imaging services. They raised this concern at a workshop held in Abuja on Monday. The event was organized by Cassona Global Imaging Ltd and Neusoft Medical Systems. Experts said that untrained workers using radiation equipment can harm patients and cause wrong diagnoses.
Why Proper Training Matters in Medical Imaging
Medical imaging helps doctors see inside the human body using tools like X-rays, ultrasound, CT scans, and MRI machines. These tools help diagnose and treat many health problems. But if used by unqualified people, they can be dangerous.
Onwuegbuufu Ebere Obinna, who works with the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, said many people using these machines are not trained or licensed. He said this puts patients at risk.
He added that his organization is fighting against fake professionals. He also asked companies to lower the cost of imaging equipment so more hospitals and clinics can afford them.
Improving Diagnosis Through Technology
Obinna said the workshop came at the right time. He explained that medical imaging is changing fast with new technology. Proper image capturing is now more important than ever. He said good images must be clear, useful, and easy to share with doctors.
Training Helps Experts Stay Up to Date
Samer Noureldin, a guest trainer and expert from Neusoft Medical Systems, said medical professionals must keep learning. Science and technology are moving fast, and updates in imaging machines happen often.
At the workshop, participants learned about the newest CT scan machines. This included a model used at Saint Mary’s Catholic Hospital in Gwagwalada, Abuja. Noureldin explained that some CT scan machines can perform many functions, though basic models may not handle heart imaging.
He said that more advanced machines help doctors make better and faster diagnoses.
Nigeria Needs Better Access to Modern Imaging
Nketiah Suphianu, a Sales Lead and Branch Manager at Cassona Imaging Ltd, said African countries, including Nigeria, are far behind in using modern imaging tools. This was one reason they organized the free training.
To help improve access, Suphianu said Cassona Imaging has created a flexible payment plan. Hospitals and clinics can now buy machines and pay over 24 months. This plan makes it easier for health centers to get the tools they need.
The Danger of Poor Imaging Practices
A clinical medical physicist from the National Hospital in Abuja, who also attended the training, said radiation is helpful but dangerous if not handled well. He said the training gave experts updates on how to use the latest machines safely.
He also spoke about the growing number of trained professionals leaving Nigeria, known as the “japa syndrome.” He said this trend is hurting the medical imaging field. Today, Nigeria has just over 100 certified medical physicists for the whole country.
Building a Safer Health System
Experts at the event all agreed on one thing: proper training and safe practices are key to protecting patients. They urged hospitals to only allow certified professionals to handle medical imaging equipment.
They also called on the government and private companies to invest in modern machines and training programs.
Cassona Global Imaging and Neusoft Medical Systems said they plan to offer more workshops in the future. Their goal is to help Nigeria catch up with the rest of the world in medical imaging.
