COURTESY VISIT BY THE RSZ PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY GENERAL TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY – TECHNICAL SERVICES, Ministry of Health Zambia

COURTESY VISIT BY THE RSZ PRESIDENT AND SECRETARY GENERAL TO THE PERMANENT SECRETARY – TECHNICAL SERVICES, Ministry of Health Zambia

The President and Secretary General of the Radiological Society of Zambia (RSZ) paid a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary – Technical Services (PS-TS) at the Ministry of Health. The meeting provided an opportunity to discuss key issues affecting the medical imaging and radiotherapy profession and explore areas of collaboration between the Society and the Ministry.

Key Issues Discussed

1. Professional Representation at Ministry Headquarters: The need to establish formal representation of the radiography profession at Ministry Headquarters to strengthen professional coordination, policy engagement and strategic planning.

1. Continuous Professional Development and In-Service Training: Strengthening facility-based training programmes through collaboration between training institutions and RSZ. This includes organising refresher courses for practising radiographers, with support from equipment suppliers and vendors, particularly in facilities with modern imaging technologies.

1. Role Extension and Professional Advancement: Expanding the scope of practice in medical imaging and radiotherapy, including the recognition and development of advanced roles such as reporting radiographers.

1. Equipment Maintenance and Management: Strengthening collaboration between radiographers and biomedical engineers to ensure regular maintenance, optimal functionality and effective utilisation of imaging equipment.

1. Digital Transformation – PACS: Highlighting the need to introduce and strengthen Picture Archiving and Communication Systems (PACS) to improve image storage, retrieval, sharing and accessibility across healthcare facilities.

1. Artificial Intelligence in Medical Imaging: Recognising the growing importance of AI in medical imaging and the need to prepare the workforce through appropriate training and skills development.

1. Postgraduate Training Opportunities: Advocating for increased access to postgraduate and specialised training programmes in medical imaging and radiotherapy through collaboration between the Ministry, training institutions and professional bodies.

Way Forward

The following actions were proposed for further engagement:

RSZ to formally write to the Ministry requesting representation of the radiography profession at Headquarters.

Develop proposals for structured CPD, refresher courses and in-service training programmes.

Continue engagement on role extension and the recognition of reporting radiographers.

Advocate for improved imaging equipment maintenance and the adoption of PACS.

Promote capacity-building in AI and emerging imaging technologies.

Engage relevant stakeholders to expand postgraduate and specialised training opportunities.

The courtesy visit allowed the RSZ to present key professional priorities and strengthen its engagement with the Ministry of Health. The Society remains committed to working collaboratively with the Ministry and other stakeholders to advance radiography practice, strengthen medical imaging and radiotherapy services, and improve healthcare delivery in Zambia.