By ISAIAH EKA

The Association of Radiologists in Nigeria (ARIN), Akwa Ibom Branch, on Thursday in Uyo began a three-day free ultrasound screening for men with suspected liver, kidney and prostrate diseases.

Speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) during the screening, Prof. Dianabasi Eduwem, said that the exercise was also for women with pelvic masses like uterine fibroids, ovarian cysts who might experience challenges of infertility.

Eduwem, also President, Association of Radiologists of West Africa, urged those with suspected breast lumps and pains to take advantage of the exercise at Heritage Specialist Clinic, Uyo and Heritage Diagnostic Centre, Eket.

He advised Nigerians who needed help with their health challenges to patronise only professionals or trained radiologists as the case might be to avoid complications.

According to him, ultrasound scanning has been abused by non-professionals in Nigeria, requiring people with suspected health challenges to present themselves to trained personnel to take care of their problems.

He said that the association was liaising with the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) and the Ministry of Health to check the abuse by quacks.

“Ultrasound has no side effect, but, unfortunately, using ultrasound to scan has been abused seriously in the country, people who are not trained are scanning everywhere.

“We are liaising with Nigeria Medical Association and the Ministry of Health to see how we can stop this. Our people should present themselves to professionals only for ultrasound scanning; these are radiologists, trained to do scanning.

“We want to encourage Nigerians to patronise professionals. Not every place you see scan is good for scanning,” Eduwem said.

Eduwem told NAN that the association would screen no fewer than 75 people daily in Uyo screening centre and 50 in Eket centre during the three-day exercise as part of activities marking the International Day of Radiology (IDoR).

Her urged people to always present themselves early for scan screening, adding that early detection of ailments could be better managed.

According to him, any ailment diagnosed during the screening will be referred to teaching hospital for further management.

Eduwem said: “The free screening exercise is to create awareness on the need for people to present themselves early for screening before it is too late.

“We observe the International Day of Radiology (IDoR) on Nov. 8 globally. The day is celebrated in memory of the discovery of Xrays. That was the first form of imaging that was developed into medical practice.

“Right now we have other forms of imaging like ultrasound scans, CT scans among others. As part of this celebration, the theme of this year’s celebration in Akwa Ibom was `Interventional Radiology-Active Care for the Patient’.

“So, by Saturday being a free day we hope to have many people and we will increase to 100 people that day. So, this basically what we are doing, just to help our people as much as possible,” he said. (NAN)