The government has intensified efforts to improve the quality and safety of radiography services across the country by directing experts to develop a modern guideline that will guide the delivery of radiation-related health services in line with international standards.
Head of Radiography Services at the Ministry of Health, Gerald Mrema, said professionals in the field must use their expertise to prepare a comprehensive guideline that will regulate the implementation of radiography services in health facilities nationwide.
Mrema made the remarks yesterday in Morogoro while opening a three-day workshop aimed at reviewing and improving the national guideline on the quality of radiation services in Tanzania.
The meeting brought together 23 experts involved in radiation-based medical services, including radiology, interventional radiology and radiotherapy.
He said the workshop provides a timely opportunity for specialists to review and strengthen existing guidelines in order to improve efficiency and effectiveness in the delivery of such services.
According to Mrema, the increasing use of radiation technology in medical diagnosis and treatment, particularly in referral hospitals, has made it necessary for the country to develop a strong and modern guideline aligned with both national and international standards.
He stressed that the safety of patients and health professionals must remain a priority in the use of radiation technology.
“We must ensure that the safety of both patients and professionals is fully protected to avoid risks that may arise from the improper use of radiation technologies,” he said.
Representing the Radiation Council under the Ministry of Health, Dr Florah Lwakatare said the council has the mandate to regulate professionals and institutions offering radiation services.
She said the council is responsible for issuing licences to practitioners, inspecting equipment and ensuring that health facilities comply with radiation protection regulations.
Dr Lwakatare noted that the initiative is part of the government’s broader commitment to strengthening quality control and safety systems in the health sector.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health’s Coordinator for Diagnostic Radiation Services, Cecilia Nyabakari, said the development of the guideline aims to ensure efficiency and uniform standards in the provision of radiation services across the country.
She explained that the guideline will set clear standards for the proper use of medical imaging and radiation equipment such as X-ray, CT scan, PET scan, MRI and radiotherapy machines.
Nyabakari added that the document will also strengthen procedures for protecting patients and healthcare workers from unnecessary radiation exposure.
Radiation-based health services in Tanzania have improved significantly in recent years following increased government investment in health infrastructure, including the expansion and upgrading of regional and national referral hospitals and the training of more specialists in the field.
However, she noted that more efforts are still needed to expand access to such services, particularly in remote and underserved areas.
Once finalised, the Ministry of Health plans to involve various stakeholders in implementing the guideline, including faith-based health organisations such as CSSC, APHTA and BAKWATA, as well as health training institutions and private hospitals.
The ministry believes that the collaborative approach will help ensure effective implementation of the guideline while improving the quality and safety of radiation services for Tanzanians.
