Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako, has charged the newly appointed Registrar, Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, Dr. Idris Garba to digitalize the profession and push out quackery. This was contained in a statement signed by Ado Bako, Assistant Director, Information and Public Relations.
Dr. Salako gave the directive in his remarks while presenting a letter of appointment to the new Registrar of the Board, Dr. Idris Garba in Abuja.
He emphasized that digitalizing the profession is imperative considering its critical role in healthcare delivery, noting that the initiative will provide easy means of identifying Radiographers practicing within and outside the country as well as registered and unlicensed practitioners.
“And your ethical conduct and the way you also enforce the ethics of the profession is very important. Of course, we also want you to take the issue of quackery very seriously. And ensure that you deploy a lot of your sources to plush out quackery from radiographic practice in the country.” He reiterated.
Commenting on the rigorous and transparent process that led to the emergence of Dr. Idris Garba as the new Registrar, the Minister commended members of the panel that conducted the exercise and urged the Registrar to use his wealth of experience in growing the health sector at large and the Board in particular.
“And under your registrarship, the profession will grow, and you will contribute your potential to the growth of the health sector as a whole.” Dr. Salako expressed hope.
He further advised him to continue the good work of his predecessor and ensure harmonious working relationship between the professionals and their association. He noted that the Board was faced with criticism in the past, warning that the government does not want anything that will draw the hands of the Board back.
Responding, the New Registrar, Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, Dr. Idris Garba, from Bayero University Kano, expressed happiness and promised to maintain the good work led by the immediate past registrar and govern with open-door policy towards ensuring that the day-to-day activities in the board is well articulated, adding that he is fully committed to the job and will carry everyone on board.
He mentioned that his intention is to strengthen the institution by digitalizing the profession, ensuring all centres are operating with technological equipment and have adequate personnel that are running the places.
“And with just a simple click on your mouse, you can be able to track every activity that is taking place within the country and beyond. So, I will make sure I strengthen the institution, including the regional offices, to make sure everyone does his work so that we can be able to push the profession forward. In terms of quackery, yes, I’m very much aware it’s a big problem.”
He further stated, ” As I mentioned again during the interaction, first is to have database. When you have data, then, of course, you can be able to track and manage the problem well. So, my first assignment is to work with the database available in the system. If none exists, of course, we will create one to make sure we know all radiographers practising within the country. Also, all centers are now operating with technological equipment to ensure they have adequate personnel that are running both places. And of course, we make sure we only operate in both places with the current practice and lessons.”
According to Dr. Garba, his priority is to bring the regulatory body and the association together to promote and achieve the common goal of the profession, promising to do everything possible within the powers of the law to make sure that only qualified and licensed personnel operate in our country.
In her welcome remarks, the Permanent Secretary Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom S. mni , represented by the Director Hospital Services, Dr. Adeola Adegoke mni expressed appreciation to the Honourable Minister for painstakingly following through the process ,his visionary and transformative leadership style, as well as commitment and dedication to ensure that things are done the proper way.
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