The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), has risen from its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Abia, calling for Innovative approaches to overcome the challenges in the Medical Laboratory Services.
The AGM which was the 60th in its series, was captioned, “Current Innovations and Challenges in Medical Laboratory Services: Navigating Global Regional and Local Health Care Realities”.
Giving his remark at the opening ceremony, the chairman of the 2024 AGM, Prof Dennis Agbonlahor, welcomed the participants to the diamond jubilee celebration of the association, eulogizing all efforts put together for the advancement of the Medical Laboratory Science, which according to him,has metamorphosed into a large pool of academicians, researchers,medical Laboratory Directors,among others.
Prof Agbonlahor noted that while the Association is celebrating its 60th year, he is unpleased with the current leadership crisis bedeviling it, appealing to all Medical Lab Scientists to stop fueling the crisis through their write-ups and actions,adding that the association cannot be sueing for peace and at the same time, engaging in actions that deepen the conflict.
In his address, the National President of the association, Dr Uche Odionyenma, said innovations and advances in science and technology in the face of daunting challenges, have opened new possibilities in healthcare service delivery and human well-being, that were not imagined in human existence. This he said, formed the conference theme,which he described as apt,
Dr Odionyenma appreciated the efforts of the nation’s President,Sen Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the coordinating Minister for Health, for their passion and enthusiasm in changing the sour narrative of the Medical Laboratory Science,for better in the Nigeria Health Systems.
Reeling out the major challenges facing the association, the National President stated that more than 50 percent of Medical Laboratory Scientists and Technicians are unemployed or under-employed, which makes the doubling of admission quota for lab workforce inappropriate. He called for a reversal in the ministerial directive on doubling of training institutions admission quota by the Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria.
The National President further advocated for a ministerial memo on employment of Medical Laboratory Scientists to run functional Primary Health Centers’ Laboratories in all the 774 Local Government Areas, to allow for increased access to quality, diagnostic services and effective public health outreach.
The Keynote Speaker, Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe,Vice Chancellor, Michael Okpara University of Agriculture, Umudike (MOUAU), in his lecture, pointed that the way out of the numerous challenges facing the Medical Laboratory profession, is for new ideas to be birthed.
MOUAU Vice Chancellor,Prof Maduebibisi Ofo Iwe
Prof Iwe emphasized the need for the association to be innovative, which allows them to transform creative concepts into outcomes,thereby addressing the challenges of poor infrastructure, shortage of skill personnel,high cost of services, inadequate and up-to-date equipments,among others.
He said the issue of inaccurate results, could be handled by the introduction of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT), which he said, is designed to provide rapid and accurate test results, allowing healthcare professionals to make timely decisions about patient care.
In his goodwill message,the Deputy Speaker,House of Representatives, Rt Hon Benjamin Kalu, who was represented by the Federal Commissioner representing Abia State at the National Population Commission, Hon Trumps Eke, commended the organizers of the AGM, while calling for renovation and policy reforms to enhance adequate delivery of medical laboratories nation wide.
Hon Trumps Eke Federal Commissioner Abia NPC
Earlier, the Governor of the State, Dr Alex Otti in his speech, congratulated the association for their resilience and dedication in advancing medical laboratory sciences in Nigeria.
Governor Otti who was represented by the Commissioner for Health, said the theme for the 2024 AGM was timely, as it resonates deeply with the collective experiences of healthcare practitioners worldwide,even as they continue to grapple with the dynamic health care realities, including emerging infectious diseases, evolving technologies and complex regional challenges.
In his separate speech,the Commissioner for Health in Abia, who was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry for Health,Dr Ifeyinwa Blossom Uma-Kalu, however,commended the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria,for their indispensable contributions to the health care sector of Nigeria. She said their expertise underpins the foundation of accurate diagnostic, disease surveillance and Public health interventions.
Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Blossom Uma-Kalu
The Permanent Secretary noted that without their efforts, the ability to combat outbreaks,provide effective treatments and achieve optimal health outcomes, would be significantly diminished.
National Organizing Committee chairman, Prof Humphrey Nwobodo
Meanwhile, the Chairman,Local Organizing Committee, Prof Lawrence Chigbu, disclosed that the conference opened the window for them to reposition themselves,as an effective brand in the fore front of the medical sector in Nigeria, while commending the National/Local Organizing Committees,for a successful conference.
