KUALA LUMPUR, July 28 — The Malaysian Society of Radiographers (MSR) has strongly objected to a Selangor state health department proposal to permit medical officers and assistant medical officers to operate portable X-ray and mobile C-arm machines at government health facilities, citing violations of two federal laws.
In a statement on July 21, MSR said the proposal — outlined in a July 9 letter from the Selangor health department to the Ministry of Health’s (MOH) Medical Radiation Surveillance Division — would contravene the Allied Health Professions Act 2016 (Act 774) and the Atomic Energy Licensing Act 1984 (Act 304).
“Operation by unregistered individuals constitutes an offence under Act 774 and may result in legal action. Assistant medical officers are not recognised as registered practitioners for the purpose of operating ionising diagnostic radiation equipment,” MSR president Sawal Marsait said.
The society noted that Act 774 requires only registered diagnostic X-ray practitioners with a valid Annual Practising Certificate under the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC) to perform diagnostic imaging, while Act 304 stipulates that only trained, licensed personnel can handle radioactive materials or ionising radiation equipment to protect patients, operators, and the public.
“Allowing non-radiographers to operate such devices increases the risk of uncontrolled radiation exposure and contravenes the principle of As Low As Reasonably Achievable (ALARA) established in radiation protection practices,” MSR said.
The professional body also warned of wider implications for the radiography field, saying: “Approving this request would set a negative precedent, undermining the scope of radiographers’ professional practice and opening the door to professional erosion. It could also compromise the quality of diagnostic imaging, affecting diagnostic accuracy and patient care.”
MSR called on the MOH, the Medical Radiation Regulatory Division (BKRP), and the Allied Health Sciences Division (BSKB) to reject the proposal, urging long-term solutions such as increasing radiographer positions, recruiting new graduates, and redeploying existing staff more effectively.
The Selangor health department, in its letter to the MOH, had requested credentialing and privileging approval to allow assistant medical officers and medical officers to use portable X-rays at the Kajang Health Clinic for tuberculosis detection and mobile C-arm machines in hospital operating theatres across Selangor.
The request aimed to address radiographer shortages, which the department said had been flagged in morbidity and mortality meetings, Selangor radiology networking sessions, and the state radiation protection committee.
“This department requests that the procedures for the use of portable X-ray and mobile C-arm devices in Selangor be allowed to be carried out by assistant medical officers and medical officers through credentialing and privileging methods, to address the issue of radiographer seniority and to meet operational service needs,” the Selangor health department wrote.
MOH has yet to issue a public response to MSR’s objection.
