Tema-Ghana, Nov. 17, GNA – Ghana has joined the international community to mark the 12th International Day of Radiology (IDoR 2023) to promote the essential role that radiology plays in the patient journey.
The commemoration ignites a series of activities to promote the seismic impact of radiology on medicine—earlier detection, fewer surgeries, and game-changing treatment outcomes.
As part of the commemoration, the International Maritime Hospital (IMaH) Radiology Unit joined forces with Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office to mark the event with a lecture and call on the public to reconsider the role of radiology in the holistic health care system.
Speaking at the weekly “Your Health! Our Collective Responsibility,” which is a project of the Ghana News Agency’s Tema Regional Office to enhance health literacy, promote discussion of health-related topics, and offer a forum for the sharing of health information, Ms. Sarah Asiedu, IMaH Diagnostic Radiographer, charged policymakers to expand the frontiers for comprehensive health care.
The GNA-Tema public health advocacy platform, “Your Health: Our Collective Responsibility,” was intended to explore the limits of the four health communication modalities—informative, instructional, persuasive, and prompting—in addition to serving as a platform for public health advocacy.
Speaking on the theme “Celebrating Patient Safety,” Ms. Asiedu explained that it seeks to highlight the critical role that professionals play in maintaining the effectiveness of healthcare systems and ensuring the well-being of patients, which extends beyond the field of radiation protection.
She said medical imaging is one of the most exciting and progressive disciplines in healthcare.
Ms. Asiedu explained that while x-rays, MRI scans, ultrasound, and other medical imaging technologies are known to many people, their value and impact on patient care are not widely understood.
“That’s why IDoR was launched in 2012—to build greater awareness of radiology and the vital role radiologists play in patient care,” she said.
The two IMaH radiographers commended Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Office for creating a platform for the dissemination of health information.
Mr. David Atawone, Head of IMaH Radiographer, who also spoke on the platform, encouraged all radiologists, radiographers, radiological technologists, professionals in other related fields, and patient groups to join together to recognise and promote the essential role that radiology plays in the patient journey.
He said the observance of the day aimed at 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.
Mr. Atawone noted that it is an opportunity, not only to promote these benefits among health professionals in healthcare but to educate the public at large on the role of radiologists in promoting holistic health care.
In this global spectacle, we invite all imaging experts and enthusiasts to stop, reflect on their tireless efforts, and acknowledge radiology’s pivotal role in active patient care, Mr Atawone stated.
Mr. Francis Ameyibor, Ghana News Agency Tema Regional Manager, stressed the need for medical professionals to combine their skills with the communication expertise of media personnel in health communication.
He said effective health communication transmitted through credible media outlets to the public would reduce the incidence of misinformation and also create public awareness about healthy lifestyles.
