AN INQUEST INTO THE QUESTS AND CONQUESTS OF THE RADIOGRAPHY PROFESSION IN NIGERIA
Main Article Content
Abstract
Background: As at 1942, there were neither indigenous radiographers nor radiography training institutions in Nigeria. Presently, progress made is breathtaking. Despite the strides, there were no readily accessible records to give researchers insight on the trajectory of the profession since the beginning of the 20th century.
Objective: To trace the origin, investigate the quests, ascertain the conquests of the radiography profession in Nigeria and then document them for easy accessibility.
Methods: A prospective, longitudinal historical research spanning 6 years (2013 – 2019). Data emanated from records of the professional association (ARN), publications in the radiography profession, and interview of older radiographers, especially those who were witnesses to professional milestones. Internet search complemented retrieved information. The draft of the work was uploaded continually on radiographers’ Facebook and WhatsApp platforms for inputs. The author resolved discrepancies in account through weight of evidence for or against.
Results: Approximately 5,000 persons have passed through basic radiography training in Nigeria, with ≤ 5% having postgraduate qualifications. Training institutions have evolved from two monotechnics to ≥ 10 universities, with three of those are involved in postgraduate education. Radiography has witnessed considerable role extensions from traditional x-ray to more advanced practices and complex modalities. Conquests were however, sometimes reversed, or jeopardized by internal upheavals and meddlesome interlopers.
Conclusion: Radiography in Nigeria has witnessed breathtaking evolution in training and practice from the time of World War II (WWII) until date. Radiographers themselves, with significant assistance from non-radiographers, engineered those milestones. A consolidation of intra-professional cohesion and inter-professional synergy is needful, for more focused and dedicated services to humanity.
Downloads
Article Details
Section
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
All articles in JRRS are published under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
How to Cite
References
Bucchianeri, E. A. Brushstrokes of a Gadfly. https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/love-like-fortune-favours-the-bold
. Accessed, 28-04-2018
Roentgen’s Discovery of the x-ray. British Library. http://www.bl.uk/learning/cult/bodies/xray/roentgen.html
. Accessed, 13 April, 2018
Wilhelm Conrad Roentgen & the discovery of x-ray beams. Retrieved 28.04.2018 from Explorable.com: https://explorable.com/wilhelm-conrad-roentgen
https://www.sor.org/about-radiography/career-radiography
. Accessed, 20-04-2018
https://www.nobelprize.org/nobel_prizes/physics/laureates/1901/rontgen-bio.html
. Accessed 20-April-2018
Haus AG, Cullinan JE (1989). Screen Film Processing Systems for Medical Radiography: A Historical Review. RadioGraphics, 9(6):1203-1224
Fuchs AW (1956). Evolution of roentgen film. Am J Roentgenol Radium Ther Nucl Med.,75(1):30-48
Engel–Hills PC (2005). An integrated approach to curriculum. The South African Radiographer, 43(2): 24 – 27
Ikamaise, VC (2005). History of Medical Radiography in Nigeria. Paper Presented to the Calabar University Radiography Students’ Association (CURSA) at during CURSA’s weeklong celebration, (unpublished)
Akpan, EP (1982). Manpower Development for Radiographic Service with Particular Reference to Basic Health Service. Journal of Radiography & Radiation Sciences (X-Rays), 10(1): 6 – 12
Abara, CL; former President of the ARN (1996 - 2001), written submission, 2018
Somoye JA (1980). Presidential Address to 9th Annual Conference of the ARN at Kaduna in 1976; X-Rays, 9(1): 6–8
The Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) Membership Register. Accessed 02–08 February, 2018
Idigo-Agu, FU (1998). The Making of Medical Radiography Profession in Nigeria. X-Rays, 20 (1):28 - 30
Oyedele, OO; former President, the ARN (2002 - 2004), written submission, 2018
Tom Adejoh (2004). The Lapses of our heroes Past. RRBN Newsletter, 1(1):19
Tom Adejoh (2005). The Lapses of our heroes past. RRBN Newsletter, 1(2):21
Distinguished Students, Department of Medical Radiography, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus (2001). Radioscope, 1(2):12
Okpaleke MS, Akanegbu UE, Ugwoke I, & Dike U (2016). Manpower Needs and National Efforts Towards Universal Health Coverage in Nigeria. Paper presented at the 48th Annual Conference of Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, 22–26th Nov, 2016, Kano. Book of Abstracts, 2016, www.jarnigeria.com
, pp16-17
Estimated population of Nigeria. http://www.population.gov.ng/
Accessed 26.03.2018
27th UNN Convocation Ceremonies/brochure for 1992/93 session held on 9th April, 1994. Enugu: SNAAP Press Ltd, pp81–82
34th UNN Convocation Ceremonies /brochure for 2001/2002 & 2002/2003 sessions, held on 1st April, 2005. Nsukka: UNN Press Ltd, p89
Department of Medical Radiography, B.Sc Project Register 1988 –2002. Accessed August, 2003
Final year students (2006). Radioscope, 2(2):1, 47
Final year forum (2011). Journal of Diagnostic Imaging & Radiation Therapy, 1(1):64
2012 class (2012). Journal of Diagnostic Imaging & Radiation Therapy, 2(1):64
Department of Medical Radiography, Induction Brochure (2013). Enugu: Zodark Productions, pp13 – 28
Department of Medical Radiography, 10th Induction Brochure (2015). Enugu: Executive Press Resource Ltd, pp 23 – 28
Dr Akpan, Effiong Philip. Biographical Legacy & Research Foundation of Nigeria. http://blerf.org/index.php/biography/akpan-dr-effiong-philip/
Accessed 12-04-2018
Sir Okon William Inyang Foundation GenerationNeXt. https://www.facebook.com/Accessed
12-April-2018
Ikamaise, VC (2018); former vice president, Association of Radiographers of Nigeria, and an older staff of Radiography Department, UNICAL. Written submission
Utin, CT (2018). Ph.D (honoris causa), MBA, PgD (Mgt), HND, DCR, RT, AAS, RDMS, RDCS, FARN. Pioneer staff of radiography department, UNEC. Chairman/Managing Director, Cleno Health Resources Limited, Uyo, Nigeria; written submission
Interview with Mr Clement Utin (2010). Radioscope, 3(1):39 – 40
Professor K.K. Agwu (2018). Longstanding staff, Radiography Department UNEC; written submission
An Audience with the HOD, Department of Medical Radiography, UNEC (2004). Radioscope, 2(1):19–20
History of the College of Medicine. http://unnmedcollege.org/faculties/faculty-of-health-scienciestechnology/department-of-medical-radiography.html
. Accessed 22-03-2018
Abonyi, LC (2018). Second set of graduates of Radiography Department UNEC & 2nd UNRADSA President, UNEC; written submission
Nkongho, Ta-Mbi (1997). Brain Drain in Nigeria: Impact on National Development, 1986–1996. Master of Arts thesis, University of Nigeria, Nsukka. p 11 (unpublished)
Interview with Chief Ochie Kalu (2011). Journal of Diagnostic Imaging & Radiation Therapy, 1(1): 51 – 54
An interview with Dr Felix O. Erondu (2012). Journal of Diagnostic Imaging & Radiation Therapy, 2(1):25 – 28
Department of Medical Radiography; history. http://unnmedcollege.org/faculties/faculty-of-health-sciencies-technology/department-of-medical-radiography
. Accessed 22.03.2018
Radiography Department UNEC, Induction Brochure, 2015
Undergraduate Degree Programme, 1997/98. Department of Medical Radiography & Radiological Sciences, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus; 4th edition
Undergraduate Students Handbook (2016–2020). Department of Medical Radiography, University of Maiduguri
Students’ Handbook and Guidelines. Department of Radiography & Radiological Sciences. University of Calabar; 5th edition
Curriculum & Course Description of Department of Radiography & Radiological Sciences, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi Campus
An address by His Excellency, Chief Dr Clement N. Nsong at the Opening of the 14th Annual conference /Workshop of the ARN at Calabar, 25th November, 1981. X-Rays 1982; 10 (1): 4 – 5
Conference brochures of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria 1958 – 1999. Retrieved from: www.jarnigeria.com
Statutes of Association of Radiographers of Nigeria: Constitution and Rules and Regulations, adopted December, 1980
Radiographers Register as at 30th June, 2005. RRBN Newsletter, 2005;1(3): 15,18 – 20
History of ISRRT. https://www.isrrt.org/history-isrrt
. Accessed 14-01-2017
List of Licensed Radiographers as at 9th November, 2015. RRBN Newsletter, 2015;2(2): 12 – 23
RSJ Babatunde: Unexposed Legacy (2013). Everything Radiography,2(1):8-9,19-20, www.everythingradiography.com
Editorial. RRBN Newsletter, 2012; 2(1):3
Ebuka Onyeji (2018). Nigerian doctors threaten strike if government implements JOHESU demands. https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/
Accessed, 11 May, 2018
Odiri Uchenun-Ibeh (2018). NMA kicks against ongoing strike by JOHESU. https://leadership.ng/
Accessed 11 May, 2018
Gabriel Amalu (2017). Proposed Radiology Bill. The Nation Newspaper. http://thenationonlineng.net/proposed-radiology-bill/
Accessed 11 May, 2018
Elgazzar A.H., Kazem N. (2006). Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation. In: Elgazzar A.H. (eds) The Pathophysiologic Basis of Nuclear Medicine. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg
Resolutions of the Think Tank for Radiography 2017 (unpublished)
Adejoh, T; Onwujekwe, EC; Abba, M; Ali, AM; Imo, AS; Nzotta, C.C.; Chiegwu, H.U. Computed Tomography Scanner Census and Adult Head Dose in Nigeria. The Egyptian Journal of Radiology & Nuclear Medicine, 2018; 49:66–70