KARACHI, May 20: Senior radiologists have underlined the need for setting up institutes for training in ultrasound and radiology across the country.

Health experts including Dr Rashid Ahmed, Dr Tariq Mahmud, Dr Mohammad Nadeem and others were speaking at the concluding session of the two-day Annual Continuing Medical Education ‘Road Show’ and hands-on programme.

Mentioning that there were a very few training institutes for ultrasound in the country, they suggested that the College of Physicians and Surgeons- Pakistan, the Radiological Society of Pakistan and the Ultrasound Society of Pakistan should take proper steps in this regard.

They said the use of the latest and cost-effective technology in diagnosis could save money, time and lives of the patients.

Dr Rashid called for proper training and certification programmes for Sonographers in various teaching colleges and hospitals. “Ultrasound is a non-invasive, painless, easily available, and easy to use and less expensive technology as against the other imaging methods,” he maintained.

He said ultrasound caused no side effects and could be repeated as often as necessary. He said ultrasound was the preferred imaging modality for the diagnosis and monitoring of pregnant women.

He said ultrasound provided real time imaging, making it a good tool for guiding minimally invasive procedures such as needle biopsies and needle aspiration of fluid collection. Potential advantage and cost-effectiveness was especially important in our healthcare system where much of the healthcare costs were borne by patients themselves, he added.

The radiologist said the value of ultrasound had been enhanced by improvements of both imaging and Doppler technology and development agents, harmonic imaging, three and four dimensional ultrasound and intra-operative and endoscopic procedures. However, he observed that there was no use of all modern technologies unless skilled radiologists and sonographers were not available.

JPMC Radiology Department Head Dr Tariq Mahmud made presentation on Ultrasound Color Doppler Guided Intervention. He informed the gathering that 24 ultrasound units were working at the JPMC, which provided diagnostic facilities to 5,500 patients daily.

AKUH Radiology Department Chairman Dr Muhammad Nadeem spoke on carotid imaging in today's world.

Dr Loay Abdul Enen said the 3D and 4D ultrasound technology was being widely used in many developed countries for diagnosis and Pakistan could also get benefit from this.

Korean Consul General Sukchul was also present on the occasion.—APP