By Mercy Gadia
The Federal Government has tasked the newly appointed Registrar of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria to digitalise the profession and intensify efforts to eliminate quackery in radiographic practice across the country.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Iziaq Adekunle Salako, gave the charge on Thursday while presenting the appointment letter to the new registrar, Idris Garba, in Abuja.
Salako said the digitalisation of the profession had become imperative given the critical role of radiographers in healthcare delivery.
According to him, creating a digital database would make it easier to identify registered practitioners both within and outside the country, as well as track unlicensed operators.
He also urged the new registrar to enforce professional ethics and intensify efforts to rid the profession of unqualified practitioners.
“And your ethical conduct and the way you enforce the ethics of the profession are very important. We also want you to take the issue of quackery very seriously and deploy your resources to flush it out from radiographic practice in the country,” the minister said.
Salako commended members of the panel that conducted the recruitment exercise, describing the process that produced Garba as rigorous and transparent.
He expressed confidence that the new registrar would use his experience to advance the profession and contribute to the growth of the health sector.
The minister also advised him to build on the achievements of his predecessor and maintain a harmonious working relationship between professionals and their associations.
Responding, Garba expressed appreciation for the appointment and pledged to strengthen the board through digital transformation and improved regulatory oversight.
The new registrar, a scholar from Bayero University Kano, said his administration would prioritise building a comprehensive database of radiographers and radiography centres across the country.
According to him, such a system would make it possible to monitor activities in the profession and ensure that only qualified and licensed practitioners operate in the country.
“When you have data, you can track and manage the problem effectively. My first assignment is to work with the available database in the system. If none exists, we will create one to ensure we know all radiographers practising within the country,” he said.
Garba added that he would also work towards strengthening regional offices of the board and ensure facilities using radiographic equipment have qualified personnel.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Adeola Adegoke, commended the minister for overseeing a transparent appointment process.
She noted that the move reflects the ministry’s commitment to strengthening professional regulation in the health sector.