NNRA CONDUCTS NATIONAL TRAINING COURSE FOR REGULATORY STAFF ON DIAGNOSTIC AND MEDICAL PRACTICE IN OGUN STATE

NNRA CONDUCTS NATIONAL TRAINING COURSE FOR REGULATORY STAFF ON DIAGNOSTIC AND MEDICAL PRACTICE IN OGUN STATE

The Nigerian Nuclear Regulatory Authority organized a "National Training Course for Regulators in Diagnostic and Medical Practice" which held in Ilashe Agbara, Ogun State, from the 11th to 15th of November 2024. The National Training Course was jointly conducted in collaboration with Messrs Pacific Bitumen and Roads Ltd.

The training course which was made possible by Chairman Senate Committee on Appropriation, Distinguished Senator Olamilekan Adeola aims to enhance the capacity of regulatory staff in ensuring the safe and secure operation of diagnostic radiology facilities in Nigeria.

The major objective of the Training Course was to equip the Regulators with the necessary knowledge and competence in ensuring safety of patients, workers and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

The Director General/CEO of the NNRA, Dr. Yau Idris ably represented by Mr Audu Muhammed, General Manager Research Reactor Safety and Safeguard stated in his opening remark that the National Training Course is aimed at strengthening the capacity of the NNRA staff as well as discuss new trends that have emerged in the context of Regulatory excellence in the Medical and Diagnostic Practice.

He added that “as experienced Regulators, we all know that the application of radiation sources in medical and diagnostic practices have been going on in Nigeria for several decades. However, a major part of radiological protection is the problem of the public, patients and workers exposure arising from its usage in the medical facilities which sometimes causes harm to the operators and the patients”. He appreciated the training facilitator and urged the participants to pay strict attention to what is taught so as to tap from the knowledge and experiences of the RSAs facilitating the training as the expectation was for the Regulators to come up with new emerging techniques for inspection and to enhance efficiency and compliance for the protection of lives and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.

The training course attracted over 70 regulatory staff from the Ogun State Operational Office, Kwara State Operational Office and the Lagos Zonal Office, where participants with diverse backgrounds; each motivated to gain experience and skills that would help them in carrying out their work in an acceptable manner to ensure best practices.

The training course was facilitated by renowned experts and Radiation Safety Advisers who have over the years gathered distinctive knowledge and skills in the Diagnostic and Medical Practice using ionizing radiation. Their instruction and facilitation approach was based on Instructor-Classroom Lectures and Presentations, Hands-on Sessions, Case Studies, Group Discussions and Technical Visits which allowed the participants to visualize the context and to apply their knowledge in real-time.

Participants of the National Training Course applauded the efforts of the Management for their participation and vowed to use the knowledge acquired in the Course to full effect in safeguarding the health and lives of Nigerians undergoing diagnostic and medical procedures from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation.