EP22.38: Risk of being kidnapped and access to radiological investigations: striking the balance in communities with security challenges

Radiological evaluation plays a major role in management of patients. It may be used in making a diagnosis, planning treatment, actual treatment with or monitoring of the course of the disease. Advancement in technology has seen deployment of high-resolution imaging techniques in patient management with attendant improvement in outcomes. Unfortunately, access to these technologies can be challenging in low resource settings. We share our experience on impact of insecurity on access to radiological evaluation. In 2019, a patient with cervical cancer reported incidence of banditary preventing access to Computed Tomography (CT) Scan. This prompted enquiry amongst specialists within the facility if they have had similar reports from their patients. Their responses and implications on practice are hereby presented. Ultrasound scan and X-ray are the widely available radiological investigations in Kebbi state. Patients travels an average of 500km to Katsina to access quality CT scan and 700km to Abuja to access Magnet Resonance Imagine (MRI). All the authors confirmed patient reported incidence of banditary delaying access to CT Scan or MRI. Innovative use of USS and X-ray were adopted as alternative to CT Scan and MRI in selected cases. Patients' security and safety during road travel in areas with high road associated crimes should be considered in making a choice on radiological investigations in the short term while efforts should be made to improve access to all needed radiological investigations in the long term.