NNRA LAUNCHES SAFE X-RAY APPLICATION

NNRA LAUNCHES SAFE X-RAY APPLICATION

A 2-day National workshop on Radiation Protection of Patients, Workers and the Public in Medical Application of Nuclear Technology for Senior Managers of Hospitals and launching of the NNRA Safe X-ray Platform held on the 21^st & 22^nd of February, 2022 at Rockview Hotels, Abuja.

The workshop aimed at strengthening the existing efforts put in place for the protection life, health, property and the environment from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation and to bring together Senior Managers of hospitals and medical centers to brainstorm on the safety of patients and workers in the application of nuclear technology in the Nigerian health care.

The novelty Safe X-ray Application (App) which is first of its kind in Nigeria was developed by the NNRA with the sole aim of providing real time information and guidance required to locate authorized medical diagnostic facilities for radiology services such as X-rays, Dental X-rays, Fluoroscopy, Mammography and Angiography. The safe X-ray Application (App) was officially launched and presented to the stakeholders at the workshop by the Minister of State  for Petroleum Resource, Chief Dr, Timipre Sylva, ably represented by Dr Famous Oseduwa.

Dr. Yau Idris, DG/CEO NNRA, in his remark, welcomed the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, Chief Dr, Timipre Sylva, represented by Dr. Famous Oseduwa and the Hon. Minister of Health Dr. Osagie Emmanuel Ehanire, who was represented by Dr. Mrs. Adebimpe Adebiyi, esteemed stakeholders, High-Level Senior Managers in Nigeria’s health sector and all participants that graced the occasion.

The DG/CEO enlightened the participants of the mandates, functions and endeavours the NNRA is undertaking to ensure radiation safety in the country. He also assured participants that the NNRA has dedicated resources and manpower that will be used to bring as many stakeholders in the health industry under regulatory control thereby, ensuring the health and safety of patients, workers and the general public from the harmful effects of ionizing radiation in the country. He encouraged participants to make meaningful contributions during presentations and panel discussions. 

The representative of the Hon. Minister of Health, thanked the NNRA for joining forces with the Ministry in taking giant steps towards Nigeria’s ability to promote safety in the health sector. The Minister said he looks forward to receiving reports on the outcome of the workshop and promised to consider actionable resolutions from the communique and work hand in hand with the NNRA on how to improve safety in the field of Diagnostic Radiology in Nigeria.

In like manner, the representative of the Hon. Minister of State for Petroleum Resources, in his Keynote address, thanked the NNRA for the invitation and commended the Authority on the development of the Safe X-ray App platform. He said that this initiative will help address issues related to health care delivery system in the country as it relates to the safe use of nuclear technology.

Dr Famous Oseduwa, commissioned the Safe X-Ray App in company of Dr Adebimpe Adebiyi, Dr Yau Idris, Dr Mrs. Oresegun, Dr J. K. Audu, Prof. Idowu Farai and members of the NNRA Management. It was commissioned to the glory of God and the benefit of humanity.

The launching ceremony was immediately followed by a technical session which comprised of numerous presentations bordering on NNRA Legislative and Regulatory Frameworks for Medical Applications of Nuclear Technology; Uses of Radiation Sources in Medical Applications of Nuclear Technology; Medical and Personal Protection in Medical Applications of Nuclear Technology; Safe X-ray App demo amongst others – by NNRA General Managers and Staff.

Consequently, a communique was developed by the stakeholders at the end of day 2 of the training and key recommendations were made to the Nigerian Federal Government, the NNRA, Operating Organisations and Service providers respectively.