title: Radiological services in rural mission hospitals in Ghana.
abstract: The provision of basic radiological services in rural, first-referral hospitals is an essential component of any country's attempt to achieve health for all. We report the results of a review of examination frequency trends, operator training background, and machine operational and safety status in the X-ray facilities in rural mission hospitals in Ghana in 1991-92. The radiological workload at the reporting hospitals was low and declined by more than 50% over the study period. Although most of the X-ray operators had little or no formal training, they produced adequate imaging results. Most of the X-ray machines seen were over 20 years old, yet remained functional, but less than 25% had standard radiation safety (beam limitation) devices. These results suggest that many rural, first-referral hospitals in developing countries could benefit from a careful review of their services and adoption of the WHO Basic Radiological System (WHO-BRS).
authors.affiliation: Yokogawa Medical Systems, Tokyo, Japan.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sekiguchi
authors.forename: S R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Collens
mesh_terms: D005869:Ghana; D006780:Hospitals, Rural; D006801:Humans; D011859:Radiography / Q000295:instrumentation; D011872:Radiology Department, Hospital; D008921:Religious Missions; D000078329:Workforce