By Ramatoulie Jawo
The Deperment of Radiology of Edward Francis Small Teaching Hospital (EFSTH) Tuesday observed the International Day of Radiology.
The commemoration on the theme “radiology and radiography supporting patients” is the second time in the Gambia.
Speaking at the event, Prof Atinuke M. Agunloye, a radiologist consultant, said The Gambia is commemorating the event for the second, which they are happy of.
She added that a training in Radiology at EFSTH is up to a start with Specialist trained in Ghana and who would be returning to complete her fellowship training in January to become Gambian’s first consultant radiology.
“Four Resident Doctors have also passed the qualifying primary exams in the past one year to commence Radiology training,” she disclosed.
She said the department and hospital will be requesting accreditation for formal training in the Gambia from West Africa College of Surgeons and with the commitment of the management and the MOH they will surely be successful.
Dr MHD Emmet Aljalari, also a Radiology consultant, said as a department they will work with the chairman of the board, or the members of the board of the Ministry of Health to make sure they have all the materials at their department to work effectively.
“We need to have all the equipment that we need to take care of our patients. We need to improve our medical services in the hospital,” he said.
Fatoumatta Dibba, representative of the Ministry of Health, told the department of Radiology that the Ministry of Health is working hard to make sure the department gets the equipment they need.
The commemoration started with a march past from Arch 22 to the Edward Francise Small Teaching Hospital where a lecture on the theme was held.
The International Day of Radiology is observed on 8th November annually, with the aim of building greater awareness of the value that radiology contributes to safe patient care and improving public understanding of the vital role radiologists and radiographers play in the healthcare continuum.