Radiology

"Radiology is the fulcrum of modern medical practice based on cutting edge imaging equipment and innovative techniques. Radiological practice in Nigeria and indeed most of the countries in Africa is lagging behind in deploying these technologies and playing the expected pivotal role in patient care. This is largely due to poor funding of the health sector and injudicious use of the available resource. The Department has the following functional equipment: Two static and one mobile X-ray machines, two 4D Doppler, one 2D Doppler, and two mobile 2D Ultrasound Machines, one Mammography machine and a C-arm image intensifier. In order to bridge the gap in our Radiological practice at the University of Calabar teaching hospital and by extension the quality of teaching and research in the University of Calabar, the hospital went into Public private partnership (PPP) agreement which led to the installation of a versatile 32 Slice Computed Tomographic (CT) machine in the department. It also signed a Memoranda of Understanding with the Nigerian navy reference hospital, Calabar, in 2016, enabling us to have exposure in high field (1.5T) Magnetic resonance imaging. Currently, the Mammography machine is functional and the installation of an MRI machine has commenced. Staff development is encouraged through continuous medical education via participation in workshops and conferences (locally and internationally) and acquisition of higher level of skills by subspecialty training for our Radiologists. One of us has already completed a two-year Master's program in interventional Radiology. Our two medical physicists are Nigeria Nuclear Regulatory Authority certified radiation safety advisers (RSAs), so radiation leakage testing of the X-ray rooms and quality assurance of the equipment are carried out. Over the years, our academic staff strength has grown from just one to seven. Our faculties participate in robust researches and training in general radiology with limited involvement in the subspecialties. We train undergraduate medicine and surgery students and postgraduate medical doctors (Residents). We look forward to more collaboration that will increase our equipment base and capacity, and promote practice in the sub-specialties."

M.B.B. Ch, FWACS