Diagnostic imaging

The goal of the WHO working area for diagnostic imaging is:

Lack of diagnostic quality

• make safe and reliable diagnostic imaging services available to as many as possible;
• advise, guide and support those working in the field developing and maintaining diagnostic imaging services;
• promote the importance of safe and appropriate diagnostic imaging services.

The challenges in diagnostic imaging in developing countries:

• There is a severe lack of safe and appropriate diagnostic imaging services (i.e. basic X-ray and ultrasound) in large parts of the world;
• In many countries a large number of images are of poor quality and are of no diagnostic use. Many are also misread. In other areas, imaging facilities are simply not available, or not functioning;
• Lack of adequately trained medical specialists, including radiographers/technologists.

Why are safe and reliable diagnostic imaging services not available everywhere?

• lack of appropriate equipment due to a lack of resources;
• poor maintenance of existing equipment due to a lack of available parts and inadequate training;
• inadequate training means a lack of qualified personnel and improper use of equipment and incorrect interpretation of images.

Coming to locked doors

Lack of training and education in film processing and dark-room work