By Fatima Saka
The Federal Government has directed the newly appointed Registrar of the Radiographers Registration Board of Nigeria (RRBN), Dr. Idris Garba, to prioritise the digitalisation of the radiography profession as part of efforts to eliminate quackery and strengthen healthcare regulation in the country.
Salako noted that the initiative was critical given the vital role radiographers play in healthcare delivery, particularly in diagnostic services.
He emphasised the need for strict enforcement of professional ethics and urged the new registrar to deploy all available resources to eliminate illegal practice in the field.
“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 resources to flush out quackery from radiographic practice in the country,” the minister said.
The minister also commended the panel that conducted the selection process leading to Garba’s appointment, describing it as rigorous and transparent. He expressed confidence that the new registrar would use his experience to strengthen the board and contribute to the overall development of Nigeria’s health sector.
Salako further advised him to sustain the achievements of his predecessor and maintain a harmonious working relationship with professional associations, warning that the government would not tolerate actions that could reverse the board’s progress.
Responding, Garba, a scholar from Bayero University Kano, pledged to run an open-door administration and consolidate the reforms initiated by the immediate past registrar.
He said his top priority would be the creation of a comprehensive database of radiographers and medical imaging centres across the country to improve monitoring and eliminate unqualified practitioners.
“With just a simple click on your mouse, you can track every activity taking place within the country and beyond,” Garba said, noting that digitalisation would help regulate facilities operating medical imaging equipment and ensure that they are staffed by qualified personnel.
He added that tackling quackery would begin with building an accurate national database of practitioners and facilities.
“When you have data, you can track and manage the problem effectively. If a database does not exist, we will create one to ensure we know all radiographers practising within the country and the centres operating technological equipment,” he said.
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Garba also pledged to strengthen the board’s regional offices and promote collaboration between the regulatory body and professional associations to advance the profession.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Daju Kachollom, represented by the Director of Hospital Services, Adeola Adegoke, commended the minister for ensuring a transparent process that produced the new registrar, describing it as a demonstration of the ministry’s commitment to due process and institutional strengthening.
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