Efio-Ita Nyok|22 June 2017
Cross River State Governor, His Excellency, Senator (Prof) Ben Ayade yesterday at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar flagged-off the Association of Radiologist of West Africa (ARAWA) 55th Annual General Meeting and Scientific Conference in Calabar with the theme MEDICAL IMAGING IN THE 21ST CENTURY; Expanding The Frontiers, Expanding The Ancient Landmarks.
Declaring open the event, the Governor who was represented by the Honorable Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Mrs RoseMary Archibong said medical imaging, especially X-ray based examinations and ultrasonography, is crucial in a variety of medical setting and at all major levels of health care in the State and as such the Cross River State Government will provide steady power supply through one of the Governor's project, to boost the use of heavy radiological imaging equipment in Calabar.
The Governor noted that Radiologists are at the forefront of imaging technology and as such play a very decisive role in the healthcare system of the State. We are very grateful to the organization for staging the conference in Calabar. We hope at your next conference Calapharm which is the almost concluded pharmaceutical industry will have a stand to showcase our manufactured drug and vaccines. He promised maximum support and collaboration with ARAWA now and in the future to achieved Universal Healthcare Coverage and Ayade care which is the health insurance scheme.
He used the opportunity to welcome them to clean green Calabar while urging them to use this opportunity and explore Calabar and have leisure in their free time.
Earlier Speaking, the DG CRSPHCDA, Dr Betta Edu said radio imaging plays an important central role in initiatives to improve public health for all population groups with improved health care policy.
She said effective, safe, and high quality imaging is important for most medical decision making in the healthcare sector as it will reduce unnecessary procedures for some surgical and medical interventions to be avoided if simple diagnostic imaging services such as ultrasound are available.
Dr Edu who said all concerned partners must ensure that we do not just achieve universal health coverage but quality universal health coverage thanked the Governor, Sen. Ben Ayade for the huge boost to the health sector. First, the state has partnered with AsiUkpo diagnostic to set up a cancer center with sophisticated radiological equipments to serve our people. Furthermore the Governor has signed into Law Ayade Care, which we will be needing the support of the association to produce result. Finally, She pleaded with the Association to step down their support and skills to the primary level. Let more midwives,nurses, Community Health Extension Workers (CHEWs) be trained on simple ultrasound scan that will help save lives of more women in our communities.
The Conference opening ceremony had in attendance the Chairman of the occasion, Prof Zana Akpagu, represented by the DVC admin, Chief Host, Prof Thomas Agan, Dean of faculty of medicine Prof Victor Ansa, Prof Roland Ndoma Egba, President of ARWA, CMD Ife, CMD UCTH and a host of others.
Charles Ekanem
Writes from Calabar
