A Professor of Radiography, Felicitas Idigo, has tasked Radiographers on the need to take their profession seriously by adapting to the changing trends and to always embark on research in order to be more relevant in medical diagnosis.
Idigo gave the task in a lecture to mark the 2025 World Radiography Day organised by the Association of Radiographers of Nigeria (ARN), Enugu Branch, at the weekend.
Prof. Idigo, who described Radiography as the eye of modern medicine and medical practice, said that their profession is dynamic and, as such, members should constantly adapt to the changing times because of the introduction of new machines and equipment.
In addition to adapting to the changing trends, she counselled that they should embark on constant research to continue to remain relevant. She said that Radiographers should embrace education in order to rise to the ladder in their profession, as well as discover new knowledge that would lift the Radiography practice and treatment of patients.
According to her, innovation comes with flexibility, and those who refuse to acquire new knowledge through reading and research will remain stagnant.
Commenting on the theme of the Day: “Empowering Healthcare Through Imaging Excellence,” Idigo said that Radiography and Radiographers play an important role in patients’ outcome, adding that Radiographers are first responders when it comes to patients’ treatment and care.
“Radiography plays a key role in medicine. It is the eye in medicine because of the diagnosis. Radiography is at the centre of advancement in medicine.
“The profession is dynamic and we should be open to new inventions because there are bound to be new equipment and machines that enhance the profession,” she said, pointing out that to grapple with the new inventions, practitioners should up their game.
“Every Radiographer should indulge in research to be able to solve needs. It is for every Radiographer,” she emphasized.
Giving his advice at the occasion, the Head of Department, HOD, Federal University of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu, FUAHSE, Prof. Livinus Abonyi, stressed the importance of Radiography and urged Radiographers to make themselves relevant at all times and be proud of their profession, and be ready to defend it anywhere and anytime.
“The profession is what you should wear like a coat. We should be proud of our profession,” he said, and urged practitioners to pursue education to acquire more certifications, which he said is more than money. “Pursue education more than the pursuit of money,” he urged.
Chairman of the occasion, Dr. Julius Amechi Agbo of the Department of Medical Radiology, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, UNEC, said the Radiography Day is commemorated every year in remembrance of the founding father of Radiography, Wilhelm Conrad Rontgen, a German who in 1895 discovered a ray which he called X-ray that has continued to be relevant in medical practice all over the world.
He urged practitioners not to toy with the profession. “The profession is ours and we should not leave it for anybody.” The Enugu State chairman of ARN, Nnaemeka Ugwuja, said the essence of the Day is to create awareness of the theme is all about empowering healthcare through excellence in imaging.
“We want to promote excellence in imaging. When you produce a good image, it is of great importance to take care of patients,” he said, and urged members to take the practice seriously.
Before the lecture, the participants, drawn from various higher institutions of learning in Enugu, embarked on a road walk that commenced from ESUT Teaching Hospital, Park Lane, before they arrived at the venue. Dressed in their vests, the participants danced to the blaring music from a motorcade used to mark the occasion.
