Physiotherapists and Radiographers, opting for health administrators on HWN VIEWPOINTS

Medical radiographers under the aegis of Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) and physiotherapists under the umbrella of the Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) have urged the President-elect, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to appoint competent hands as Health Ministers and health administrators to head hospital in Nigeria.

In various statements to congratulate the President-elect, the medical professionals added that such appointment would help to curb professional rivalry in the medical sector.

In the statement, which was signed by ARN President, Dr Mark Okeji and Public Relations Officer (PRO), Mr Joshua Sule, the radiographers stated that such appointment would also help Buhari to repeat his feat in the medical sector when he first ruled Nigeria as Head of State.

“ The entire members of the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN) write to congratulate you on your well deserved victory at the Presidential election. It was an epoch-making event in the Nigerian history and acknowledged the world over. Your resilience and doggedness throughout the challenging periods of the campaigns is a demonstration of your overwhelming love for Nigeria and strong desire for a better country.

“Nigerian youths have once again learnt from you, that love for one’s country and determination to bring about change should not be extinguished no matter how tortuous the path becomes, a similar lesson from the story of Abraham Lincoln. You stood against all odds and never gave up on the dream for change in the polity of our dearest country. Thank you for giving the ordinary Nigerians a chance and privilege to contribute towards the entrenchment of our democracy.

“We rely on your history and achievement as former Head of State, and the monumental achievements recorded in the few months that you governed, to conclude that surely you are going to take Nigeria to the promised land.

“Radiographers are group of Health Professionals who utilise different forms of radiant energy for diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The health sector in Nigeria has suffered a lot of chaos and disharmony in the past few years. Nigerian radiographers are of the opinion that a health manager/administrator should head our hospitals, as it was the case when you were Head of State and also the practice in most countries including Kenya. This will ensure that our hospitals are run professionally with all the professional groups concentrating on their areas of training.

“Radiographers in Nigeria wish to urge you to discountenance the recently submitted Yayale Ahmed’s committee report on the inter-professional relationship in health. This is because key professional groups in health, such as radiographers were not represented in the committee. The committee’s report was hurriedly packaged to satisfy a section of the health professionals. Also, the committee’s report is a matter before a court at present.

“We sincerely request that you use your good offices to ensure that radiographers have their separate department like other health professionals. Also, we want you to encourage the establishment of more radiography departments in Nigerian universities, and accompanying scholarships, to bring the ratio of radiographers close to acceptable level. Currently, there are less than 2000 radiographers for a population of 170 million Nigerians,” ARN said.

The physiotherapists’ statement, which was signed by Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy (NSP) President, Taiwo Oyewumi, reads: “The Nigerian people have just chosen you to preside over their destiny for the next four years. The Nigeria Society of Physiotherapy extends its heartfelt congratulations on your historic victory. Please know that you can count on our best wishes and support as you assume the duties of the President of our beloved nation.

“Formed in 1959 by the first generation of Nigerian physiotherapists, NSP is the umbrella body of all physiotherapists in Nigeria. Your Excellency, by electing you, Nigerians have chosen the path of change, openness and optimism. At a time when the world is in torment and doubt, Nigerians, true to the values that have always been at the very core of our identity, strongly expressed their faith in progress and in the future.

“Your message of hope, freedom and opportunity resonates with our members, as it does with people across this great land and around the world. These are difficult times, with an economic crisis at home and abroad, chronic energy shortage, and the threats of fanatical enemies within who are deadly afraid of freedom and tolerance. We are confident that under your leadership, Nigeria will be a great force for good in the world.

“Further, we are confident that you will revamp the health sector, ensure equity among health professionals and make Nigeria centre of excellence in medical tourism. It is our hope that your government will appoint competent and qualified individuals as Minister and Minister of State for Health.”

[HWNGUARDIAN]