I don't see why a medical laboratory scientist cannot be the head of the department of microbiology, haematology, chemical pathology or histopathology in the teaching hospitals.

do you mean medical lab scientists with a PhD in the field?

@manga
As a medical doctor who specilize in lab medicine, you'll be able to work in any Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria as a Pathologist NOT as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Both professions have different training and career structure as approved by Government. 
Currently, there is hot demand for Nigerian specialists in the diaspora who can fill the existing lacuna in the service areas in the health sector. Contact with
Prof. E.J.C. Nwana of the University Of Abuja Medical School could be of great help to you.



Cheers

Check out my gift for first comers at http://www.benardsolomon.com

@tpia
Medical Laboratory Scientists don't need a Ph.D to become HOD in the departments where they work.  All they need to do is to ensure the strict implementation of the scheme of service approved by Government which has given them the visa to reach the peak of their chosen profession in the teaching hospitals as Directors of Medical Laboratory Services. Ph.D is purely an academic degree.

cheers

Meanwhile, let me also welcome you to the forum.

Get my gift for you at http://www.benardsolomon.com

Hi friends, i'm a Biochemist and i like research. Please, must i be a member of the association of medical lab scientists before i can be part of research team on HIV vaccine?

If yes, please let me know how to go about it
and
If no, advice me on what to do and what area i should specialize on for further studies because i only have a Bachelor of Tech. in Biochemistry.

I wouldn't mind if u could link me with a specialist in my field that you know to help me out.

Thanks nairalanders.

kennyaribs:

Hi friends, i'm a Biochemist and i like research. Please, must i be a member of the association of medical lab scientists before i can be part of research team on HIV vaccine?

If yes, please let me know how to go about it
and
If no, advice me on what to do and what area i should specialize on for further studies because i only have a Bachelor of Tech. in Biochemistry.

I wouldn't mind if u could link me with a specialist in my field that you know to help me out.

Thanks nairalanders.

not sure about the first question but for the second, why not get your masters or go to med school if you can afford it. Another option may be a masters in Public health or something along the line of Epidemiology. Pharmacy?

Is a Bachelor of Tech the same thing as a Bachelor of Science? For Biochemistry that is.

forumites,
the Association just had its 45th AGM at Awka, Anambra State. Any communique released? Pls post if you have detail info.

Hello folks,
please forgive me for posting this ut i just thjink it would be beneficial to some of u,

A newly set up diagnostic company needs some medical lab scientists ,
i medical microbiology/haematology
ii.clinical chemistry
Qualification: BMLS/AIMPLT with at least 4-5 years experience with a current licence to practise,

Please send your application with scanned documents and resume to ambassadorlanry@yahoo.com.Please do so before 1st September,

Salary is very attractive and accomodation available if needed,

Thanks tpia, Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) is 1st degree from university of Technology while Bachelor of Science (B.sc) is 1st degree from conversional university

Therefore, B.Tech =B.Sc

kennyaribs:

Thanks tpia, Bachelor of Technology (B.Tech) is 1st degree from university of Technology while Bachelor of Science (B.sc) is 1st degree from conversional university

Therefore, B.Tech =B.Sc

you're welcome, and thanks for explaining.

Good luck as you decide what to do.

Hi folks,
Here is the Communique released at the end of the 45th Annual Scientific Coference and AGM of the Associaiton:

ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS OF NIGERIA (AMLSN)
COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 45TH ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP

The 45th Annual Scientific Conference and Workshop of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria was held at the Emmaus House, Awka, Anambra State, from Monday 10th to Saturday 15th August,  2009. The Conference was declared open by the Honorable Minister of Health, Professor Babatunde Oshotimehin (OON). The Opening Cewremony was chaired by Professor Mab Okornkwo (OON), FMLSCN the Deputy Vice Chancellor(Academic), National Open University of Nigeria; while the keynoe address was delivered by Dr. Ezekiel E. Akintunde FMLSCN, Manager, Medical Laboratory Services, Department of Defence, United States Embassy, Abuja.  The six day conference had the them: ‘Medical Laboratory Services: the key to Diagnosis, Management and Control of Infectious Diseases’.  The workshop focused on Medical Laboratory Services, Structure and Administration in Nigeria.  A total of 741 Medical Laboratory Scientists from health institutuiosn, Universities and research institutes attended the conference.  In all; ninety eight(98) scientific papers were presented by biomedical researchers.
The Objectives of the conference were:
1. To share scientific information from intensive research work in the fields of medical and veterinary sciences.
2. To review the country’s health sector performance as  it relates to medical laboratory services in the diagnosis, management and control of infectious diseases
3. To examine key issues in the nation’s health care system, universities and research institutes that adversely affect efficient and effective medial laboratory services.
(a) The implementation of the National Medical Laboratory Policy
(b) The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Act 11, 2003
(c) The Medical Laboratory Scientists Scheme of Service 2001
(d) The National Policy on the laboratory diagnosis of malaria (RDTs)
(e) The backlog of Graduate MLS who are yet to undertake the one year mandatory internship
(f) HIV/AIDS testing, treatment and control programme


Observations:
1. Even though we have the technologies and vaccines to prevent diseases, especially childhood killer diseases, these technologies and vaccines are not accessible to children in developing countries especially Nigeria
2. Conference noted the delay in identifying and confirming causal agents of emerging and re-emerging or epidemic prone communicable diseases, which retard the initiation of action likely to contain epidemics, resulting in catastrophic loss of lives.  This adversely affects global health security since they frequently and unexpectedly challenge national health services and disrupt routine control programmes.
3. Cerebral spinal meningitis, measles, cholera, Lassa fever, yellow fever, avian influenza and swine flu are recognized as sporadic or epidemic prone diseases in Nigeria.
4. Nigeria ranks amongst the highest in endemic countries for Human African Trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness)
5. Conference emphasized the strategic position of medical laboratory services in the provision of adequate, undisputed scientific and epidemiological real time information on outbreaks detection, incidence or prevailence, treatment monitoring, prevention,  control and monitoring of infectious diseases.  Sadly, the medical laboratory which is often the first site for detection of the etiologic agents of disease outbreaks, which also serves as a major source of information has long been considered unimportant and consequently poorly resourced by our health authorities and planners.
6. Conference noted the exclusion of medical laboratory services as part of the ‘Minimum Health Care Package’ in the Primary Health Care programme in Nigeria.  This threatens the attainment of the health related Millennium Development Goals in Nigeria.
7. Conferencenoted the selective salary increase for only Medical Doctors without due harmonization with other health professionals.  This will disrupt the team spirit required in the health sector with the attendant adverse effect on the quality of services.
8. Conference noted the employment of persons not qualified/or licensed by MLSCN to practice medial laboratory science by some state governments (e.g. Delta and Bayelsa states). Abia Stae University Teaching Hospital, Faith Based Organizations and Non-Governmental Organizations. This unethical and illegal act should be addressed
9. Conference emphasized the imperative for standardization of iodination of local commercial products (domestic foods and food supplements) due to variation of natural iodine distribution in parts of the country, as excessive intake of iodine may cause goiter.
10. Capacity building (training and re-training) for Medical Laboratory Scientists is currently inadequate
11. Poor laboratory infrastructure equipment and power supply at all levels  (Tertiary, Secondary and Primary)

Recommendations
1. Conference commends the Federal Ministry of Health and the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency (NPHCDA) for the midwifery services initiative.  It urges all institutions connected to its implementation to show firm commitment to the provision of medical laboratory services for accurate diagnosis and treatment of the simple disease conditions decimating our rural population.
2. Conference called on all universities offering the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science(BMLS) degree programme to expedite action for the setting up of the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science in line with the regulatory direction of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria and the National Universities Commission.  Conference commends the Uthman Danfodio University for setting up a full fledged Faculty with five departments.
3. Conference noted that the administrative structure necessary for effective and efficient medical laboratory services is lacking in our government institutions in Nigeria.  In this age of evidence-based healthcare practice, medical laboratory services provide the largest body of empirical data that constitute the evidence .  Laboratory testing and tests play an indispensable role in the early detection of disease, monitoring of treatment and disease surveillance.  Government is urged to create the department of laboratory services at all levels of healthcare management structure in line with the scheme of service.
4. Medical Laboratory Service is key to improving the quality of care and management of health conditions; the Federal Ministry of Health is called upon to implement fully the approved scheme of service for medical laboratory scientists.  This will give effect to strengthening the policy environment and institutional structure necessary for the achievement of all functions of the health system.
5. Conference emphasized that the fight against infectious and other diseases would be won or lost in the laboratory.  Governments and health institutions are urged to involve the Director of Medical Laboratory Services in their top management committees for appropriate policy conceptualization and crystallization
6. Conference noted that molecular diagnostic technology has opend new possibilities in the prompt diagnosis and treatment of diseases.  It therefore called on Government and private health facilities to encourage medial laboratory scientists in their employment to establish molecular diagnostic units in all secondary and tertiary health institutions in Nigeria.
7. Conference called for a systematic evaluation of the state of medial laboratory services in all states of the Federation and resolved that laboratory diagnostic capability be strengthened by providing laboratories at different levels of the health system with appropriate personnel, functional basic equipment and standard reagents and means of transportation, based on assessed needs.
8. Federal, state and Local Government authorities in Nigeria should appoint the Director of Medical Laboratory services for a comprehensive articulation and implementation of laboratory services to ensure quality health services.
9. Subject to the provisions of section 18(2) MLSCN Act 11,2003 to wit ‘No person not being a fully registered medical laboratory scientist under the provision of this Act shall be entitled to hold any appointemtn in the Public Service of the Federation or state or any public or private establishment, body or institution, if the holding of such appointment involves the performance by him in Nigeria of any act pertaining to the profession of medical laboratory sciences for gain’ Furthermore Section 22(2) to wit ‘A person who is not a member of the profession shall not practice the profession or , in expectation of reward, take or use any name, title, addition or description implying that he is in practice as a member of the profession.’  We hereby call on the Federal and State Ministries of Health, Management of all Hospitals, Health related NGOs and Faith-based Organizations to respect the provisions of the law and stop the imposition of non-Medical laboratory scientists to either administer or perform any kind of Medical Laboratory activity.
10. The Conference called on the Honorable Minister of Health to without further delay commence the implementation of the National Medical Laboratory Policy.
11. The Conference noted the introduction of Malaria and other Rapid Diagnostic Test kits in the country; this is commendable.  However, the Conference urged that these kits be properly evaluated and standardized in order to ascertain their benefit in the detection of malaria infection in humans.  This will protect the general public from the effect of sub-standard kits.

CONCLUSION
Until Government at all levels and other agencies fully appreciate and harness the potentials of Medical Laboratory Services, no meaningful progress can be made in our healthcare delivery system at all levels, no matter how much money is invested.  We therefore call for the creation, where absent of the Directorate of Medical Laboratory Services in all Federal and State ministries of Health, as well as Health related NGOs and Faith-based, Organizations.  This will guarantee and ensure the involvement of Medical Laboratory Scientists in policy formulation, implementation and monitoring.  Furthermore, in view of the need for the effective programme implementation, we urge the First Lady, Hajia Turai Ya’adua to integrate Medical Laboratory Services into her cancer programme in order to make it not only viable and vibrant, but to serve the main purpose of its establishment for many years to come.

SIGNED
MR. MANASON G. RUBAINU(FAMLSN)
National President
08032104412

DR. GODSWILL G. OKARA(FAMLSN)
Chairman, National Organizing Committee
08036224817

MR. OLUWATUYI OBISESAN
National Public Relations Officer
07060974561


P.S: Please post comment of the communique if you have any.

Nice post! Its a fact that 'the fight against infectious and other diseases would be won or lost in the laboratory' hence the role of medical laboratory services in healthcare cannot be over emphasized. The sooner the Government and everyone realizes this fact, the more feasible the attainment of the health related millennium development goals in Nigeria. Thanks Benard for this great update.

www.sicklecellcounselor..com LATEST AND INFORMATIVE ON SICKLE CELL DISORDER

Hi everyone. I am Egedigwe Ugochukwu John. A Medical Laboratory Scientist by profession. I really have to bare my mind out right now u know. These doctors have had enough braging to rule the laboratory. I believe it is unhealthy for another professional body to rule another profession of its kind. Medical Laboratory Science is a Standard profession of its kind and we wont allow any of that kind happen. Brag if they like, they aint gonna get that opportunity. Hail Laboratory Scientists.

@ sicklecell, Nice job. If the herbal drug truly increases the percentage of HbF then its goodbye to sickle cell disease. I admire your strong spirit and we wish you the very best.
@ egesugos, Welcome to the forum. We are glad to have you here. You are very free to bare your mind. Welcome!
@ chaircover, We are so pleased to have you here. I personally don't consider you a traitor cos i understand how difficult it is to cope with family and the practice. Although you ain't practicing you are still a Medical laboratory scientist cos no one can take away the knowledge and skills you possess including the chemical pathways lol.

AMLSN EXCO HELD EMERGENCY MEETING TO DENOUNCE GOVERNMENT MAGINALIZATION
The NEC of AMLSN on Wednesday 7th October , 2009 held a press conference to address the seeming injustice inflicted on the profession by the Federal Government.
The conference which had the President Mr. Manason Rubainu, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem (National Secretary) and Doctor Uko (2nd National vice president ) in attendance vehemently condemned government insensitivity as it affects the demands of the Association concerning the new consolidated salary package for MLS. It is of note that the one for doctors has already been gazetted.
Futhermore, AMLSN accused the current minister of health of been insincere with the profession.

@Ege, menek and chaircover,
welcome on board. Accept my personal greetings and compliments for joining this forum.

I don't want to be partial so, get your own gift at my site www.benardsolomon.com

cheers.

Is there a way to persuade the medical lab science council of Nigeria to set up a website? It's quite disappointing that lab scientists both home and abroad can't keep in touch with developments and activities of the council in Nigeria through one of the most popular means of communication of our time.

Hi folks, I just want to share my experience at work today. I ran a test for malaria on a patient and was shocked by my findings while viewing the slide (thick film). There were numerous Plasmodium species. So I quickly made a thin film for their morphological differentiation and I observed that most of them were P. falciparum but there were a few P. malariae. I must say that i haven't seen such parasitaemia before. Its funny that our dear country still have a long way to go in the eradication of this disease despite her effort on the roll back malaria programme.

@chynenye,
Your experience is just one out of many in the various locations of Medical Laboratory Science practice is Nigeria.
Problems associated with malaria are myriad. Not with the often cloned political undertones that go with treatment of malaria. Recent complain about artesunate combination therapy not suitable for some people readily comes to mind.
May God save Nigeria and Africa. But more of the effort could be directed at preventive measures. Our attitude to safe and clean environment must change so is our dieting.
I wish government employ more Medical Laboratory Scientists at the L.G.A's to get more data that will help our policy makers to passionately reconsider the abysmal failure of anti-malaria policies as it stands today.

To All Forumites
Chynenye has opened up a very good vitsa for us to share practical experiences whereever we are practicing around the globe in this forum. Do you have  a story to tell? What change do you desire in the way MLS is practised in Nigeria? What can we gain from colleagues abroad?  What are your views about the equipments in the place you work? Are you satisfied in your job? How can the level of job satisfaction be uplifted? What are your personal views about MLS practice in Nigeria vis-a-vis your experience?
Share your experience in real life at this forum. I believe forumites will gain a lot from your story. Let us tell our own story.

As you respond to this clarion call, please state whether you work for government, private outfits, NGO's etc.

Bonus
The first 5 people to respond qualifies for an electronic copy of my books:
1. Simple Step To Biomedical Internet and
2. Acres Of Diamond


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With Me? Here Is The Opportunity You Have Been Waiting For.
I Invite You To Join Me On My Face Book Profile Page.

[b]Post Your email if you want to join me on facebook.[/b]Cheers.

Hi i am new to the forum, a Medical Laboratory Scientist graduate in Uk, am coming into the country soon, how can i register with the Nigerian council for Medical laboratory science, and are there trainings available in Cytology(Diagnosis and screening of abnormalities at cellular level ).

@vines007
To register with the Medical Laboratory Science Council Of Nigeria, visit them at the address below:
8, Harvey Road, Yaba. Behind the Psychiatry Hospital, Yab.
email: medlabcon@yahoo.com

For your second question, contact Dr. Godwin Awvioro of the Delta State University, Abraka. GSM No: 2348037149777 Or 2348074025703

Cheers.

P.S: Click http://www.benardsolomon.com to see my gift for new forumites

MLSCN SEALS 938 MEDICAL LABORATORIES
In a recent news report, the MLSCN has sealed 938 illegal medical laboratories. This has been done in a nationwide exercise aimed at ensuring that medical laboratories in Nigeria generate accurate, reliable and reproducible test results.
The registrar of the council, Mrs. Elizabeth Okonkwo, disclosed this in a press conference at the weekend after another round of inspection that took the council to Borno, Ebonyi, Nasarawa and Rivers.
According to her, 2,131 laboratories have been inspected in 17 States and Abuja. Out of these, 938 was closed. In the sealed laboratories, practically all their laboratory request forms indicated that they are performing many tests for which they do not have the specified equipment.
Other reasons for closure include:
Unethical practices
Use of domestic refridgerator as blood bank
Technicians in charge of some laboratories and
Students MLS in charge of laboratories

Public laboratory facilities such as FMC Abakaliki was also inspected.

Thanks bernard08 for the quick reply.its nice to know our profession has a strong forum like this, would be in touch once i get into the country.
Best Regards

I think I will like to share my experience concerning this Pregnancy test. I dont know what the council of this noble profession is doing concerning the influx of different pregnancy kit into this country.
I found myself in situation of recent that realy baffled me.
I work in a private establishment. It all happen that I did a blood PT for a partiular patient and it was negative, only for the patient to come back a few hours later with Positive result from other lab. I initially rebuked the result, but when I now asked her the simpton she was having. Infact, all the complained was so obvious that she is likely to be pregnant.
All I have to do was just to cover up and convienced her to go for scanning.

I m posting this so that everyone will be carefull with all this kits in the market. I dont know if it is proper for me to mention the name of this kit?
We all know the medico-legal implication of this.

I have seen a situation of where a couple has been trusting God for the fruit of the womb for many years, and suddenly she started felling funny., she then went to see her doctor , and the doctor send her to the lab for PT test. then the lab gave her negative instead of positive as a result of fake kit. the doctor then stated bombading her with antimalaria which eventually aborted the pregnancy.
This couple has to sue the doctor which eventually bounce back on the lab. The  doctor now saidhe is treating base on the result he got from the lab.
so we need to be careful and be vigilant about ths fake  kits and reagents.
Bernand08, I will lve to join you on facebook my e-mail is fashforever@gmail.com

thanks

@ Dipole,
I believe some medical laboratory scientists must have had similar experience.
Things will be better when the MLSCN step up its regulatory functions in the area of
Importation and use of chemicals and laboratory reagents. NAFDAC has been trying in this area but it is better done by professionals.

For your gift, check out your email box. Also expect my invitation on facebook.

Cheers.

Dipole:

I think I will like to share my experience concerning this Pregnancy test. I dont know what the council of this noble profession is doing concerning the influx of different pregnancy kit into this country.
I found myself in situation of recent that realy baffled me.
I work in a private establishment. It all happen that I did a blood PT for a partiular patient and it was negative, only for the patient to come back a few hours later with Positive result from other lab. I initially rebuked the result, but when I now asked her the simpton she was having. Infact, all the complained was so obvious that she is likely to be pregnant.
All I have to do was just to cover up and convienced her to go for scanning.

I m posting this so that everyone will be carefull with all this kits in the market. I dont know if it is proper for me to mention the name of this kit?
We all know the medico-legal implication of this.

I have seen a situation of where a couple has been trusting God for the fruit of the womb for many years, and suddenly she started felling funny., she then went to see her doctor , and the doctor send her to the lab for PT test. then the lab gave her negative instead of positive as a result of fake kit. the doctor then stated bombading her with antimalaria which eventually aborted the pregnancy.
This couple has to sue the doctor which eventually bounce back on the lab. The  doctor now saidhe is treating base on the result he got from the lab.
so we need to be careful and be vigilant about ths fake  kits and reagents.
Bernand08, I will lve to join you on facebook my e-mail is fashforever@gmail.com

thanks

I feel so bad for the the couple

@dominique
you don't think doctors work?