By: Nyima Sillah
On Tuesday, the Department of Radiology at Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) joined the rest of the world to observe the International Day of Radiology (IDOR), held at the hospital premises in Banjul.
The celebration this year was held under a theme: Radiologist and Radiographers Supporting Patients.
In her statement, Prof Atinuke M. Agunloye, HOD, PG Clinical Trainer and Consultant Radiologist, said: the IDOR celebration aims to build greater awareness of the value that radiology contributes to safe patient care improving understanding of the vital radiologists and radiological technologist play in the healthcare continuum.
She disclosed that the PG training in Radiology at EFSTH is up to a good start with one specialist trained in Ghana who would be returning to complete her fellowship training in January to become Gambia’s first consultant radiologist.
Dr MHD Ammar Aljafari, Consultant Radiologist, and Chief Medical Director EFSTH, acknowledged the importance of observing IDOR. Adding that “Radiology is the most important department in the hospital all the department depends on radiology. They cannot do any diagnoses, they cannot do any treatment without radiology,” he said.
He noted that all the radiology equipment is very expensive, and not easy to have all of them at the same time. He, therefore, gave assurance that before the end of the year, the digital X-ray and the radiology department will be the best department in the entire Gambia.
More so, Dr Fatoumata Dibba, Assistance Director of Health Services, said the Ministry recognized the radiologist and the vital role they play in contributing significantly to make sure that patients have positive health outcomes.
“It is in this regard that the Ministry is always encouraging to ensure that career development for radiographers and radiologists is not left behind. The Ministry is promising that they will continue to support the training of radiographers and radiologists.”
She added that the Ministry is also willing to provide all equipment that is needed for the radiologist and the radiographer for them to do their work effectively.
Prof Adama Sallah explained how the treatment of radiology started in EFSTH and hopes that the department soon reaches a higher height and has a radiology department across the country.
