The Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Prof Muhammad Pate, has encouraged radiologists throughout the country to avoid leaking patient information in order to avoid litigation.
Pate spoke at the 60th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Radiologists in West Africa and the sixth Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference of the Association of Radiologists in Nigeria, both of which were held in Abuja on Monday. The minister emphasized that data security issues needed to be taken seriously.
“You are all witnesses to the increasing litigation in our practice arising from patients’ awareness of their rights and privileges,” Pate, who was represented by the ministry’s Director of Hospital Services, Dr Jimoh Salaudeen, said.
“As a result, leaks of patient information must be taken seriously and with vigilance, and you should deploy appropriate and efficient technology to prevent miscreants from infiltrating the system.”
“The place of right diagnosis which radiology practice largely represents in the management of any disease condition must be appreciated.”
The minister went on to say that the ministry is dedicated to continuing its work with ARIN.
Prof Sule Saidu, National President of ARIN, urged the Federal Government and other stakeholders to expand their commitment to improving healthcare service delivery, training, and research in order to ensure worldwide best practices.
The government’s dedication to strengthening the health sector, according to Saidu, will help to reduce medical tourism abroad. He also urged the government at all levels to prioritize the availability of more diagnostic equipment for radiology practice.
Dr Agaja James, Chairman of ARIN in the Federal Capital Territory and Local Organising Committee, lamented the migration of medical practitioners from rural to urban areas.
According to him, the bulk of medical practitioners have moved from rural to urban regions in the Sub-Saharan region, and many of them have left Africa.
James pleaded with the administration to resolve the issue permanently so as to prevent the health care system from collapsing.
