Secret Reporters No place to hide
Secret Reporters
Following the victory of Medical Laboratory Scientists over Pathologists stating that no one is dependent on each other, with Medical Laboratory Scientists to determine the practices of laboratior in the country by the National Industrial Court, Radiographers under the aegis of Medical Imaging Scientists Association of Nigeria took a similar step towards ‘autonomy’.
This audacious move we can report authoritatively has drawn the wrath of Radiologists, who are now bent on fighting that the status quo remains.
In a confidential memo sent to local branches of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) and her affiliate bodies, they vowed to fight to finish. To make good their promise, a special unspecified amount of money will be paid by members of the association to prosecute the legal battle.
The memo reads:
This is to inform all our members that few months ago, the Radiographers under the umbrella of Medical Imaging Scientist Association of Nigeria sued the Ministry of Health and Chief Executives of about 5 tertiary hospitals, in the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, seeking, among other, declaration by the court that:
1. The profession of Radiography is distinct from Radiology and need to be accorded due recognition.
2. That they are entitled to operate under a separate department and not operate/function/work under Radiologists.
3. That the institutions should be compelled to recognise the department.
4. That they want their own Directorate.Etc etc.
The national executive council of ARIN deliberated on this and considers it as a direct affront on our profession with the potential of derailing the healthcare delivery system if allowed to scale through. Urgent action is needed!
The exco is currently working on this issue viz:
a. We have as a matter of urgency engaged the services of a reputable lawyer with the aim of applying to be joined in the suit, since our members and the Radiology profession are in fact the major target of this suit.
b. We have notified the national leadership of NMA and MDCAN so that the NMA platform and legal machinery can be utilised.
c. We have commenced adequate sensitization of our members including Residents of the need to join hands together. This can be achieved through the Zonal Coordinators and State chairpersons. They have to hold local meetings and notify/sensitize the state chapters of NMA, MDCAN and ARD.
d. We wish to prepare the mind of our member that there may be need to impose special levies for this purpose and need for cooperation by all of us (Fellows and residents).
e. The executive council had also met with and notifies the leadership of the MDCN as the regulatory body for all aspect of the medical profession including radiology practice. We receive adequate assurances at these meeting and we are doing follow-up.
f. We hereby urge our HODs of Radiology, Radiotherapy and Nuclear Medicine in all centres to appreciate the implications and need for actions on this issue and deploy all means of educating/mobilising our members.
Further briefings on the issue will be provided in the coming weeks.
Thank you all.
Dr Olatunji O.O. President
Dr Jimoh Kamaldeen General Secretary
Note:
In view of the likelihood of requesting for members contribution to the legal fee and for those who may want to make voluntarily contributions, the account details of the national body is provided thus:
Bank Name: UBA PLC, National Hospital, Abuja.
Name of account: Association of Radiologists in Nigeria (ARIN)
Account number: 1019152140
Sort Code: 033083641
