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.

@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

@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


Connect With Me On Facebook
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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.

@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.

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.

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.

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

@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

@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

@nubym
A personal welcome note from me. Other forumites are glad to have you here too.

As usual, find my gift for new entrants below
http://www.benardsolomon.com

you can download as many info as you wish. It is Free.

cheers

@dipole,
welcome to this forum. Thanks for your compliments too.
I'm not aware of the existence of any website belonging to MLSCN.
If any exists, perhaps it may not be functional.
You can do a simple google search to verify my response.

Cheers.

Nigerian Medical Laboratory Scientists both home and abroad have desires and transformation they want to see happen in their professional practice in Nigeria.

Forumites, what do you want the newly inaugurated board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council Of Nigeria (MLSCN) to do to move the profession forward in Nigeria?
Please post your comments.

The MLSCN Board has been finally inaugurated by the Minister of Health -Prof. Babatunde Osotimehin.
Members of the Board Include:
Prof. Dennis Agbonlahon-Chairman
Dr. Ezekiel Akintunde
Dr. Yemi Akinloye
Hon. Kunle Jenrade
Mr. Manason Rubainu

These are the ones I could remember. If you know others please post.

As we begin a new month, I extend my warmest greetings to all those who have made this forum a great place to belong.
@dominique, chinenenye, dayleke and others, may this month of August bring you good tidings and the best you wish yourself.

The Lord's mercy be unto you.

Enjoy your weekend
Benard Solomon

@naijaking1
Thanks for your contribution to the sugar level query. I am pleased at the way the various factors were listed for comprehensive education of the enquirer. Keep it up.

@chinenye
Thanks for the compliments and kudos for taking time to visit my site. Visiting useful sites like that is one skill and life style most MLS lack. You are one in a million. Please spread the news of the forum to colleagues around you.

And this, you must have noticed that my name is correctly spelt Benard Not Bernard.

Cheers

@chinenye,
welcome back. Your absence was really felt. As one of the early subscribers to this forum, your regular contributions is highly coveted to make the forum a community of our dream both in Nigeria and abroad.
Thanks for the professional response to the query on high blood sugar level.

Cheers

@Ubine, Kosisochi and dkizzyaka, I want to personally welcome you to this unique global forum of Medical Laboratory Scientists. You must have seen by yourselves how interactive and beneficial to knowledge the forum has been. You'll do well to announce the existence of the forum to all MLS in your locality.

As a new comer to the forum, there is a special gift for you at my site

http://www.benardsolomon.com

The resoures are free.

Meanwhile to Ubine, I want to say that Medical Lab have many wealthy and knowledgeable people too. I'll encourage you to attend any of our national conferences to have a glimpse of how unique this profession is. We'll need to continually work on our self esteem and self-development to stamp our authority and relevance whereever we find ourselves. Ours is a great profession with a great future.

On the political front, the struggle has been long and tortuous. Efforts of great lights such as Prof. Agbonlahor, Prof. Emeribe, the immediate past AMLSN president Prof. Useh and the current president Mr. Manason Rubainu has not been in vain. It is a continuous struggle but there are tangible results to show for all the years of resistance against intimidation and professional persecution. An improved scheme of service and emolument for MLS in Nigeria is currently receiving the attention of Government and the national leadership of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) is highly committed to that.

I'm particularly delighted that we have web savvy individuals in our profession which you too must have seen from the contributions in this forum. People like dominique are leading lights in this area.

Medical laboratory scientists who want to be relevant in the information age cannot run away from certain internet skills like web design, web management, blogging, social networking etc. Here you find me particularly interested and it is responsible for the birth of this forum.

My own journey into web savvy skills were influenced by mentors abroad who are medical laboratory scientists themselves and highly successful in their careers. People like Professor Pat Letendre of the University of Alberta Canada leads the pack. You can find out more about them at
http://biomedical-internet-guide..com

Medical Lab is a multi-skill profession. We are all priviledged and fortunate to be among this blessed profession. So Ubine, just keep dreaming and working towards the best. I am beginning to see the need for professional motivation in  the profession in Nigeria as done abroad. You can find these tips in my special blog
http://magic-keys-to-success..com

Stay tuned to the forum. You have much to gain.

Cheers

@kizzyaka,
dominique has been generous in her contributions to your querry.
Your proposal is about running a successful Medical Laboratory. You will need a partnership arrangement with a licensed and experience Medical Laboratory Scientist. Your arrangement must be made known to the Medical Laboratory Science Council of NIgeria (MLSCN). This is Council's policy on non-medical laboratory scientists running diagnostic facilities.
No wise businessman invest in any business without feasibility study so you'll definitely need it.
The depth of your feasibility study will depend on the kind of market and service you want to target. Automation is the trend in medical laboratories now adays.

cheers

@anselm_victor, thanks for finding time to be here. You are warmly welcome.
Answer to your querry already exist in the first page of the forum where a similar question was extensively dealt with.

cheers

A personal welcome compliment for enny09 and louchi.
I assure you that hanging out here regularly will influence you positively.

Take some time out to visit http://www.benardsolomon.com and leave a comment at the posts.

Yes, you will need to enroll for your NYSC but at the same time, I'll advice you commence the process of registration with the MLSCN. That will make things easier for you by the time you round up your NYSC program. As for courses in tropical diseases, you don't need it to join the Society For Cellular Pathology Scientists (SCPS). The society will be having a workshop between 20th and 23rd July, 2009 at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idi-Araba, Lagos.
Anyway, be free to send your queries here if you need anything about Medical Laboratory Practice in Nigeria.

Cheers.

P.S. Have you checked http://www.benardsolomon.com ?
Leave a comment whenever you do. It will help me to improve on the content and scope.

@honeybee and Elrazur
Kindly accept this rather late personal compliment from me. You are welcome to the forum.
I believe members are already smelling great with your contributions. keep it up

@dominique,
thanks for keeping the forum moving. My absence was not deliberate. It is as a result of one of the nagging problems we contend with in all aspects of our lives as Nigerians. If not power problem today, it is going to be ISP problem tomorrow. Actually, my ISP have been fumbling of recent hence I had to be hopping from one cyber cafe to another in the interim to keep in touch.
But I must say I am really proud of you. You have proved you can keep this forum on and on by your useful contributions and response to querries raised by members. It is very nice having you around.

@heroes1983, let me personally welcome you here. We are very glad to have colleagues abroad identifying with this forum.
The first step to take when you arrive Nigeria after your course is to officially register with the Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria. You'll also need to join the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria-the parent association of all Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria. I have also figured out that you have a biase for oncology. The Society of Cellular Pathology Scientists of Nigeria is an interest group of choice too. Just keep in touch. You'll have all information to get you on course.
Cheers

@femilangy, answer to your querry is already in the forum. The diagnostic laboratories highlighted so far in this forum could be of help. Contact them.

More contributions please,
Hey segunatuu where are you? Nothing to say?

@Dominique
The choice of where the annual scientific conference is hosted is political. State branches competitively bid for hosting rights which are thereafter decided by votes or concensus.
So Anambra State branch of the association are lucky to have the hosting right for 2009.
Medical Laboratory Scientists who want to attend should apply for sponsorship from their employers. You'll need the conference information fliers for that purpose and is readily available in each state through the Chairmen and Secretaries.

@Dominique
Thanks for your response. You have given the forum another great clue our colleagues can consider as far as career satisfaction is concerned. Truly, some of our colleagues are being frustrated as a result of the undesirable power problem. What do we say about those in private practice who have to milk out funds to get generators to power their labs compounded by the incessant fuel palaver.
Even recently, the Minister of health have to cry out that the power situation is frustrating effort at solving the miriads health challenges in our Teaching Hospitals. The diesel powered generators have not been able to cope with the demands the service require hence his call for alternative solar power for Health Institutions. Can you see our dilema as a nation?
Now think about the precarious situation of patients who require laboratory services. It is established that 80% of patients require laboratory tests. One can only imagine the delay in tests output and quality due to power failure and lack of alternative sources.
So colleagues, may be considering working in military establishments can add up to career satisfaction ala Domique.

RE: ANNUAL SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE 2009

These are info I have been able to gather about the forthcoming annual scientific conference of the association.

Theme: Medical Laboratory Services, The Key To Diagnosis, Management And Control OF infectious Diseases.

Key Note Speaker: Dr. Ezekiel Akintunde(FMLSCN, Ph.D)
Manager, Medical Laboratory Services, Dept. Of Defence,
USA. Embassy, Abuja

Venue: Emmaus House, Arthur Eze Avenue, Awka., Anambra State

Date: Monday 24th-Sat. 29th August, 2009

Registration Fee-N10,000

Contact: Dr. G.C. Okara
Chairman NOC
0803224817

Dr. A. Onochie
State Chairman
08034059301

Ass. Prof. Chris Anyamene
Chairman LOC
08063498723

@victor2009.
Thanks for this thoughful contribution.
@Dominique
Where do you practice? Don't you have contribution to make on this?

Hi all,
the annual scientific conference and workshop of the association of medical laboratory scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) will be coming up again this august.
If you have any information about it please voluteer to post.

Expecting your response

@Dominique
thanks for the clarion call. You know we have to battle with so many things in Nigeria. As medical laboratory scientists, you are not isolated from the terrible power situation which seems to affect every other thing that is associated to it.
You need contant power to keep the refrigerators at regulated temperatures so the reagents could be kept at optimum performance. The incubators and blood banks need power to function and now for us to maintain constant online presence, the place of power cannot be ignored. May God help us.

I have had to abandon my system for sometime to look for alternative service at cyber cafe to stay in touch with the forum.  Who says we do not need power to make use of internet facilities too?

I had suffered from network problems over the past days. It could be frustrating. But let us keep on hoping for the best.

Colleagues, can you please comment on the place of Constant Power Supply In Medical Laboratory Practice?

Cheers