The radiography sector is facing a critical shortage, with only 800 radiographers serving a population of over 30 million people. This shortage is
The radiography sector is facing a critical shortage, with only 800 radiographers serving a population of over 30 million people.
This shortage is raising concerns about the timely detection and treatment of life-threatening diseases.
According to the President of the Ghana Society of Radiographers, Dennis Amartey Ahia, Ghana has not recruited additional radiographers since 2019 due to external economic policy restrictions.
The Challenges
The high cost of training is also a major factor contributing to the shortage.
Head of the Imaging Department at the University of Cape Coast, Professor Eric Kwasi Ofori, explained that training a postgraduate student in radiography requires about 15 to 20,000 pounds for a year, and PhD programs require four years of funding.
To address this challenge, the university has developed a local curriculum and is seeking government support.
The Impact
The shortage of radiographers and radiologists is having a significant impact on patient care.
With only 93 radiologists in the country, each serves roughly 400,000 people.
Many patients are forced to travel long distances for their services, often resulting in treatment delays and serious complications.
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