Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof. Ali Pate, has tasked Radiologists to identify challenges impeding data security to address increase cases of litigations from patients against its members.
The Minister made the call on Monday in Abuja at the 6th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Scientific Conference of Association of Radiologists in Nigeria (ARIN) and 60th AGM of Association of Radiologists in West Africa (ARAWA).
Pate, represented by Dr Jimoh-Olawale Salaudeen, a Special Assistant to him, also noted other challenges like manpower deficit, poorly regulated radiology practice in the country and inadequate technology innovation.
“You are all witnesses to the increasing litigations in our practice arising from patients’ awareness of their rights and privileges.
“Leakages of patients’ information must be guarded against seriously with every sense of responsibility and deploy appropriate and efficient technology to prevent miscreants from invading the system.
“The place of right diagnosis which radiology practice largely represents in the management of any disease condition must be appreciate,” he said.
Prof. Sule Saidu, National President of ARIN, also urged the federal government and other stakeholders to increase commitment to the improvement of service delivery, training and research in healthcare with a view to ensuring global best practices.
Dr Agaja James, Chairman ARIN FCT/Local Organising Committee (LOC) for the event stated that medical practitioners in Africa are reducing in numbers day by day because of the advancement in technology and economic problem ravaging the world.
