Radiographers turn down proposed NCR bill

Nigerian Radiographers during a weekend in Lagos refused what they call ‘ill-conceived’ proposed bill to establish the National Council of Radiology and Radiation Medicine, NCR, by a member of the House of Representatives, Hon. Patrick Asadu.

The bill itself which has gone through 2nd reading on the floor of the House is looking for a marriage between one regulated profession on one hand (radiology) and others accommodated in the regulated profession (medicine and possibly nursing and engineering).

The radiographers said that the proposed bill is unnecessary because radiography already has a regulatory board. During a joint press conference of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, ARN, and Nigeria Union of Allied Health Professionals, NUAHP, in Lagos, the President of ARN, Mrs Elizabeth Balogun said radiographers were not consulted and have no knowledge or inputs into the said bill.

However, Balogun said they have already taken their case to the Minister of Health, Prof Isaac Adewole. She added that the bill does not lend itself to a clear citation, reference and understanding, neither does it tow the line of international best practice. She stated categorically that the bill was another waste of taxpayers’ money.

“Nigerian Radiographers refused the bill and neglected to be associated in any way with it. We are cool with Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria, RRBN, as our regulatory body. We are also aware of our legal right to fair hearing and Freedom of Association.” Speaking, Chairman, Board of RBBN, Hon Abdul Fatare Bakare, alleged that the bill would add to the fragile health institutions and aid the rise of quackery in the system.

Bakare also called on the Senate and the House of Representatives to look into the dangerous bill, urging them to legislate it for proper funding and training of radiographers in every teaching hospital in Nigeria with a perspective of reducing an acute shortage of radiographers as well as stamp out quackery.

On his part, the South West Coordinator, ARN, Mr Uzondu Eke, who warned of the dangers of chaos in radiography practice explained that little mistake in the profession could seriously affect a person for life.

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