The Nigerian Association of Medical Physicists (NAMP) has called on the federal government to integrate medical physics in healthcare policy and decision-making through the passage of the NAMP Bill.
President of NAMP, Professor Abdulfatai Akintunde Balogun, said this at the 2024 International Day of Medical Physics (IDMP) in Abuja recently.
He said the NAMP Bill currently at the National Assembly requires urgent attention.
The theme for the 2024 IDMP was “Inspiring the next generation of Medical Physicists,” a fitting reflection of ongoing commitment to improving access to high-quality healthcare worldwide.
According to Balogun, the bill is vital to the professional recognition, welfare, and development of medical physicists in Nigeria, adding that without these legislative frameworks, our scheme of service would continue to face significant setbacks.
He said in spite of progress made, the profession was faced with issues like limited access to modern equipment, inadequate funding for research and training.
Balogun said lack of clear and robust legislation has thwarted professional growth, created uncertainty around career progression, and hindered NAMP’s ability to attract and retain talent within the profession.
He said most trained and skilled members were emigrating abroad due to lack of scheme of service, regulatory body, legislative support and better pay among others.
He said other critical pieces of legislation included: the Regulatory Council Bill and the Medical Physics College Bill which have been passed from one session of the National Assembly to another without resolution.
Balogun said with the right policies and recognition in place, NAMP would retain its best minds, reduce brain drain, and ensure that the profession thrives within Nigeria.
He called on the government to assist NAMP by making the bill an executive one so as to fast-track its passage, urging the National Assembly to urgently prioritise the passage of the NAMP bill.
Also, the Senate Deputy Majority Leader, Oyelola Ashiru Yisa said he sponsored the NAMP bill because of its importance to the healthcare of Nigerians.
Senator Yisa, represented by his Senior Legislative Aide, Onyinloye Benjamin, said “When you look at the scale at which you measure the importance of the medical physics bill, it is all about a national interest in order for Nigeria to align itself with global best practices.”