When Dr Michael Kawooya, a radiologist at Mengo Hospital in Kampala, Uganda, performs an ultrasonography on pregnant patients he’s often asked, “Doctor, is this dangerous?”

His answer is always “No”.

“Ultrasonographies do not use ionizing radiation, so they aren’t dangerous,” says Dr Kawooya, who is also Director of Ernest Cook Ultrasound Research and Education Institute in Kampala.

Yet many of the procedures his patients do have or ask for, including X-rays, CT-scans and fluoroscopy-guided interventions, do use ionizing radiation. These have the potential to cause cancer and skin injuries, particularly in children. Many referrers, patients and caregivers are unaware of these risks.

“Often patients think that an X-ray is part of a cure without any knowledge of the risks involved,” explains Dr Kawooya. “This is our opportunity to educate them.”