Evaluation of Radiographic Equipment Maintenance Practices at Veterinary Facilities in Enugu and Anambra States

The reliability of diagnostic radiographic equipment is central to the quality of imaging services provided at veterinary facilities, and inadequate maintenance leads to suboptimal image quality, equipment failure, and radiation safety hazards. This study evaluates radiographic equipment maintenance practices at veterinary facilities in Enugu and Anambra States, South East Nigeria, between July 2022 and June 2024. A cross-sectional survey was conducted at 24 veterinary facilities, encompassing government hospitals, university clinics, and private practices. Structured inspections of radiographic equipment, maintenance logbooks, and radiation safety records were performed, alongside interviews with 38 facility managers and radiography operators. Only 29% of facilities had documented preventive maintenance schedules for radiographic equipment. Darkroom processing quality assurance, including fixer and developer replenishment protocols, was inadequately followed in 67% of facilities still using conventional film-based systems. Radiation safety surveys including personnel dosimetry were absent in 81% of surveyed locations. Digital radiography systems were operational in only 5 of the 24 facilities, with 3 of these requiring calibration. Equipment downtime exceeding 30 days in the preceding year was reported by 42% of facilities, directly impacting diagnostic service delivery. The study recommends the establishment of mandatory radiographic equipment maintenance protocols regulated by veterinary councils, accelerated transition to digital radiographic systems, and provision of radiation safety equipment and dosimetry training for veterinary radiology personnel across South Eastern Nigeria. Keywords: radiographic equipment, maintenance, radiation safety, Enugu, veterinary radiology.