by Albert Agius
Senior Allied Health Practitioner
Radiography Health-Gozo General Hospital
World Radiography Day is celebrated on 8th November every year to commemorate the discovery of X-Radiation discovered by Wilhelm Roentgen in 1895. On this day, Radiographers promote Radiography as a vital contribution to modern healthcare and to increase public awareness of the two branches of Radiography: Diagnostic Imaging and Radiation Therapy.
Radiographers are registered Allied Healthcare Professionals providing essential healthcare services on 24/7 basis including outpatient and emergency services. They are accountable for setting adequate ionising radiation and correct positioning of the patient to produce high quality images of the human body while ensuring overall patient safety. Radiographers work as a team together with other health professionals to provide patient-centred support and care during diagnostic examinations. The profession is constantly developing in response to the advancement in technology and the population needs.
At Gozo General Hospital we offer a range of diagnostic imaging procedures that include X-Ray, Fluoroscopy, Computed Tomography (CT), Ultrasound, Mammography, Breast-Screening, Theatre Imaging and Bone-Density scans. Radiographers are also responsible in providing a front-line service during the Covid-19 pandemic through the acquisition of chest X-Rays and CT scans, offering the advantage of supplementary diagnosis and follow-up of critically ill patients.