The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, has warned radiologists in the country against the leakages of patients’ information to prevent litigation.
According to The PUNCH, Pate gave this warning on Monday at the sixth Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Radiologists in Nigeria and the 60th AGM of the Association of Radiologists in West Africa in Abuja.
He explained that challenges impending data security must be addressed.
Pate, represented by the ministry’s Director of Hospital Services, Dr Jimoh Salaudeen, said, “You are all witnesses to the increasing litigation in our practice arising from patients’ awareness of their rights and privileges.
“So, leakages of patients’ information must be guarded against seriously with every sense of responsibility and you should 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 appreciated.”
Pate state further that the ministry is committed to continuing collaboration with ARIN.
The National President of ARIN, Prof Sule Saidu, urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to increase commitment to the improvement of service delivery, training, and research in healthcare to ensure global best practices.
Saidu pointed out that the government’s commitment to improving the health sector would help to curb medical tourism abroad.
He equally urged the government at various levels to prioritize the provision of more diagnostic equipment for the practice of radiology.
While bemoaning the migration of medical practioners from rural areas to urban areasThe Chairman of ARIN at the Federal Capital Territory and Local Organising Committee, Dr Agaja James, said the majority of medical practitioners have migrated from rural areas to cities in the Sub-Sahara region and that many had also gone beyond the shore of Africa.
James urged the government to find a lasting solution to the trend and save the health sector from imminent downfall.
