The need for professional in carrying out their duties has been advocated among Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria.
Also, Medical Laboratory Scientists in the country have been urged to embrace professionalism and integrity as non-negotiable values in the discharge of their duties.
Secretary to the government of Kogi State, Doctor Folashade Arike Ayoade gave the urge at the eighth annual national summit of the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (National) in Lokoja.
Doctor Folashade emphasized the need for medical professionals to tame greed for money lamenting that some laboratory scientists engage in highly unethical practices like falsification of patients’ test results for quick gains.
Kogi SGS being conferred with an Award of Excellence
She stressed that wrong analysis and diagnosis of health issues are dangerous and urged the participants to always follow the standard operating procedures guiding their practice.
The SGS noted that medical doctors rely heavily on the work of laboratory scientists as such, they have very little margin for error.
Similarly, Kogi State Commissioner of Health, Doctor Adams Adeiza who was represented by the permanent secretary of the Ministry of Health, Mr. Momoh Azeez Steven noted that medical laboratory scientists play a critical role in the healthcare system.
Doctor Adeiza said the work of medical laboratory scientists are the backbone of the diagnosis, treatment and care of patients and urged them to prioritize accuracy and reliability.
In a keynote address, Acting Registar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Doctor Donald Ibe Ofili who was represented by his Special Assistant Technical, Doctor Osarentin Agbolahan emphasized the need for medical laboratory scientists to embrace technology in modern practice.
Doctor Ofili said due to the seismic shift in the practice occasioned by technology and globalization, practitioners must be innovative and willing to evolve to deliver solutions for Africa’s unique healthcare system.
In a remark, Vice-Chancellor of Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi called on government at all levels to prioritize healthcare infrastructure and welfare of medical workers in order to stem the migration wave among young medical professionals in the country.
Professor Akinwumi commended the Medical Laboratory Scientists’ Forum for their contributions to the health sector and urged them to contribute to cogent discourse on health matters.
The National President of the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists’ Forum, who is a native of Adavi Local Government Area of Kogi State, Onuruoiza Suleiman Jegede noted that the summit was an excellent opportunity to build relationships and commended Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo for transforming the state in a short period.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards of excellence to Kogi State Governor, Alhaji Ahmed Usman Ododo, the Secretary to the state government, Doctor Folashade Arike Ayoade, Vice-Chancellor, Federal University, Lokoja, Professor Olayemi Akinwumi and Acting Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Doctor Donald Ibe Ofili.
