The Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria has sealed off two ultrasound and x-ray laboratory facilities in Ilorin, Kwara State over alleged unprofessional practices.
The officers in the inspection and monitoring unit of the board paid unscheduled visits to about 20 radiographic outfits in Ilorin.
They, however, arrested and handed over two operators of radiographic facilities to the police for prosecution.
Ebere Onwuegbuchu, the Head, Inspection and Monitoring Unit of the board, who spoke with journalists during the exercise, lamented that many of the outfits engage quacks, such as diagnostic technicians or student anatomists to operate radiographic machines.
Onwuegbuchu informed that the unit discovered that operations of some diagnostic outfits did not meet the required standard, adding that some operated at residential areas, the findings he described as unconducive and unsafe to the staff and people around the locations.
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“We’re not happy with what we noticed in some of the facilities visited were quacks, those who are not registered or licensed by the board are carrying out the radiographic practice.
“Radiography is a medical profession that involves the use of radiant energy to diagnose or treat patients when medically indicated. The equipment that is handled by radiographers includes conventional or dental x-ray, CT scan, MRI, ultrasound, among others.
“When this radiant energy was not properly used it can lead to bodily or genetic harm through mutation of the gene carrying information. It can also lead to cancer when those who are not properly trained, certified and licenced carry out these examinations because they may be giving radiation dose that can induce changes in the cells of individuals.
“If unqualified person operated Ultrasound examination, the report he issues is what the clinicians would work on, and if the report is misleading, the treatment would not give desired results”, he said.
The board advised Nigerians to ensure that radiographic facilities they patronize are manned by qualified and registered radiographers, saying that family suffer ugly consequences when attended to by quacks.
He says genetic harm may not manifest immediately but in the next generations of the victims through deformity of children they give birth to or come up with one ailment or another.
Onwuegbuchu warns that exposure to very high levels of radiation can cause acute health effects such as acute radiation syndrome and can also result in long-term health effects such as cancer and cardiovascular disease.
