DOHA: The Radiology department at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) recently celebrated the World Radiographers Day, which falls on November 8, honouring the work of the organisation's more than 200 radiographers.
"The radiographers are the technicians, who actually operate the various imaging machines at different hospitals services. Their imaging capabilities play a crucial role in providing correct and informed diagnosis of any patient," said Fatima Al Sulaiti, Chief technologist at the Heart Hospital.
Events marking the World Radiographers Day included special abstract presentations by radiographers about their profession addressing its history, the types of modalities available in each hospitals and the important difference they make to the patients lives through their hard work and dedication. The day's event also highlighted different types of imaging used for patient examination such as Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI), Cardiac Computed Tomography (CT Cardiac), angiography, fluoroscopy, portable X-ray, dental X-ray, nuclear medicine. They also play a part in cancer care through radiotherapy, wh0ich is a separate branch of radiology.
A special case presentation was also made about Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) that allowed the radiology department here, to offer paperless and seamless imaging records of all patients in digital format. PACS has led to better patient diagnosis and treatment and outcomes. In an attempt to highlight radiology as a rewarding career, HMC also held an information session for professionals at the Heart Hospital auditorium.
Any new radiographer joining the corporation undergoes a one-year orientation programme on all the imaging modalities available at the hospitals, she said. Then they are assigned to a section, where they sharpen their imaging skills in one specialised area of radiography.
This year, the World Radiographers Day event at HMC also saw awards for exceptional radiographers from across the organisation. Gamal Arafat Hamza-HGH, Prakash Chandra Ajila-RH, Alfredo B Dolojan-Al Amal, James McClellan-Radiotherapy, Ahmed Al Najar-Al Khor and Richard Praveen Kumar-Heart Hospital were the radiographers to win the awards.
The World Radiographers Day at HMC was organised under the leadership of Dr Ahmed Omar, Chairman of Radiology Department
© The Peninsula 2011
