The radiographer generating your X-ray, CT scan (Computed Tomography), MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) might not have certified specialty training, Society of Radiographers in Kenya (SORK) President Kenneth Wangari has revealed.
Speaking during the bi-annual Radiographers Scientific Conference (RASCO) in Mombasa on October 11, Dr. Wangari revealed that despite the country having qualified radiographers, a shocking 90% of them don’t have certified specialty training leading to the question whether Kenyan doctors are relying on the right people to diagnose, monitor or treat illnesses.
Kenya has 1,400 radiographers in total meaning that 1,260 of the country’s imaging specialists despite being qualified have not been trained on handling specific radiography equipment and are more or less jack of all trades in the different imaging modalities.
During the RASCO conference, the SORK president announced a two year partnership with American conglomerate and diagnostic imaging equipment distributor GE Healthcare that will see 140 radiographers from public and private hospitals trained on the latest medical imaging technologies and techniques before being certified by SORK.
The radiographers will as well receive specialized training on radiation safety and protection, CT, MRI focus, use of contrast media, conventional imaging, mammo focus, radiotherapy focus, ultrasound focus, management, leadership imaging services and molecular imaging.
“The partnership will build on efforts to achieve Universal Healthcare through capacity building. Under the partnership, SORK will provide accreditation for the participants while GE Healthcare will provide radiography training equipment, content and facilitators for the training sessions targeting radiographers from private and government healthcare facilities,” said Mr. Wangari.
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He added that with the partnership, SORK will develop course material, curriculum, trainees and trainer’s manuals, lecture aids, simulations and webinars for online training as per applicable law and regulation.
According to Dr. Wangari, there is need to increase skillsets of healthcare workers, especially in radiography saying that the recent upsurge in radiography equipment install base and an upward shift in technology on the equipment has also widened the training gap.
The SORK president stated that in order to improve workflow efficiencies, there is need to improve radiographic equipment handling techniques.
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Andrew Waititu, General Manager, GE Healthcare East Africa noted that his organisation will continue to work with the private and public sector to improve healthcare delivery through training of healthcare professionals.
“The partnership with SORK will lead to improved outcomes for patients and the overall healthcare system through localised capacity building”, said Mr. Waititu.
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