@victor2009,
Thanks for the information. This forum is to discuss anything under the sun that affects the medical laboratory scientist  and the professional practice globally with more emphasy on the Nigerian situation. Issues relating to professional politics and public interest will also not be relegated.
Thanks a lot once again. That information will save many lives and marriages.

Meanwhile, there are more job vacancies declared by Osun State University and Lagos State Health Service Commission. Interested MLS could access it free at http://medicalandlaboratoryjobsng..com

It is hot and fresh.

Cheers

@Anikeji,
The easiest way to contace me is through my email. Send mail to megastock14@yahoo.com
I believe others things can follow from there.

Victor2009,
You are right concerning the info on DNA services in certain private labs.
I saw some adverts recently about it in Lagos.
To make the information more useful to the public and users of the forum, kindly post the name and address of the lab in question. Who knows, there may be some people desperately in need of such info.

Hey. Have you visited my site too? You are special in this forum and your contribution and comment will be highly appreciated too. Here is the link for you http://benardsolomon.com

Thanks

Dominique,
Thanks for your visit. Oh. You are free to download information on the site as many times as you wish. It is given out free as public service but make sure you are not selfish with it. Pass the info to others.

Cheers.

Dominique,
That's a brilliant one from you. We have missed you in the past week.
Nice contribution.
You are one of the special people I need to objectively access the content of my site.
I want to make it conform to the needs of med. lab. scientists. You are personally invited to  click http://benardsolomon.com and leave your comment. I'll highly appreciate that.
Cheers.

Back To The Issue Of The Unfaithful Woman With Twins Who Belong To Different Fathers.

Chynenye, thanks one again for responding to the above topic. It was brought up to stimulate medical lab. scientists in Nigeria especially to come up with best methods for settling such a dispute as the oracle of medicine.
The tests you highlighted have limitations and that has been a handicap to the practice of med. lab. science in Nigeria in the area of paternity disputes.

The case in question was settled in America through DNA laboratory testing. Presently, no public institution has facilities for DNA testing in Nigeria. This is ridiculous and unacceptable. Many cases are left unresolved as a result. Consider the frustrations many are currently bearing since majority don't have the dollars to spend abroad for medical diagnosis like the rich people are doing.
We call on the national association to continue to mount pressure on the government to equip public laboratories with adequate and modern facilities for diagnosis.

Here is the abridged version of the story as reported by the Nigerian tribune of Tuesday, 19th May, 2009.
[b]'Woman Gives Birth To Twins With Different Fathers'.
A mother's fling has resulted in her bearing twins by different fathers. Eleven month old Justin and Jordan Washington may have arrived the world within just seven minutes of each other but in an amazing twist of fate, they are half brother.
Each has a different dad because their mother Mia Washington had an affair and conceived two babies by different biological fathers.
There is only a one-in-million chance of twins having different biological fathers.
The truth came out when Mia visited Clear Diagnostic DNA Laboratory after noticing the twins have different facial features. A paternity test confirmed her fears-it showed there was only a 0.001 chance the Justing and Jordan have the same father.
Authorities said the result was so rare that there are only a handful of known cases across the globe.
According to doctors, if a woman has more than one sexual partner while she is ovulating, there's a miniscule chance that different sperm cell can fertilise two separate eggs.'Because sperm cells take a while to travel and eggs take a while to travel there can be an overlap'.[/b]There you have it.
We are waiting for the time when the Nigerian angle to this phenomenon will begin to emerge but the diagnostic infrastructures must be available.

Your comment still welcome.

Cheers

Uyiwem,
Just take the first VITAL step.
Good Luck.

Thanks to all of you who have taken time to visit my site http://benardsolomon.com
Kindly ensure you leave a comment on the posts when next you visit. I'll highly appreciate that to share from your knowledge too.

cheers

dayleke, thanks for your text message. It is highly inspiring and I am humbled by the adulation. Never mind, I'll soon make myself available to hear your voice. Meanwhile, you can add me to your address book for instant messaging. My email is megastock14@yahoo.com

Yes. I graduated from U.C.H. in 1996 and presently a SNR. MLS at the pathology department, Unilorin Teaching Hospital.
I was the immediate past chairman of AMLSN in Kwara State and Chairman L.O.C. of the National Conference in 2007.

@chynenye, thanks for minding the post on the unusual twins. Are those tests really enough for paternity testing?

Nice contribution there segunatu. That's why he was asked to contact the Med.Lab.Council Directly because the policy has been reviewed.

Uyiwem,
you can also contact school of medical lab. science, VOM, JOS

cheers

Uyiwem,
Your best bet is to visit the Medical Laboratory Council Of Nigeria at No 8 Harvey Road, Yaba, Lagos. It is right behind the psychiatric hospital. You'll get enough authentic guide and answers to your querry.

Cheers.
You can reach me through 08058534772(text only pls)

Chynenye, that's a nice one from you for hajikebs.
Anyone over there for more solutions to hajikebs querry?

The Oracle Has Spoken Again! A Womam With Twins Belonging To Different Fathers.

MLS in the house, your comment needed. How possible?

Segunatu and hajikebs are the new entrants to the forum. I personally welcome you.
It is a pleasure getting more colleagues connected here.

Yes. dayleke, thanks for the complement. This forum will have great impact on the profession as more and more people join and discover the golden wealth hidden here.

Everybody in the house, don't ignore the querry sent by hajikebs. Any parasitologist in the house?

I just left a gift for you all to spike up your day.
Find out details at http://benardsolomon.com

Cheers

Victor2009,
Welcome, the forum is glad to have you here.

Cheers

Hi dayleke,
You are honorably welcome to the forum.
We've started feeling your contributions already.

Cheers

Hi Collegues,
the working week has drawn a curtain again this friday(apology to those on call duty).

The quest for job mobility might appeal to any of you there. If so, consider the job vacancies announced by the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri,
The Details are at http://medicalandlaboratoryjobsng..com

Have a nice weekend.

Oge4real,
I personally welcome you to the forum. Enjoy your stay.

dayleke,
I wish to personally welcome you to the forum. Hope you'll have the best of time.

Hi anonimi,

The states pay about 30-40% less. However, payments by the Federal Government and most states are very regular. Payment in private establishments vary. Some pay less while NGO's pay more.

Cheers

I welcome all the new entrants to the forum both home and abroad. It is nice to get connected to all of you and I wish you all the best. Together, we shall raise the standard and awareness about the profession for the benefit of our people.

Wuni, thanks for your complements and due recognition of my humble effort. I'm proud of you too for finding your way to nairaland. MLS at nairaland are great.
Wuni, this is specially for you check it out at http://histopathologyresearchresources..com


Just yesterday, I almost lost all the effort I had put up to contribute my own quota to the development of the profession through nairaland -Nigeria's most-sought after authentic forum both home and abroad. It is no joke that today, nairaland boasts of more than 3 million members.

So what was the gist? I was banned by default! Thanks to the administrator-our most reverred, strict, benevolent and kind Seun who wasted no time in restoring my posting priviledges. I call on all of you to help thank the administrator of nairaland-Seun for the honor done to us. Imagine getting the messenger out of the way. What then happens to the message? Kudos Seun. You are OUR STAR

Before I sign off, let me quickly inform you that there are some job opportunities for medical laboratory scientists at Family Health International.
You can find details at http://medicalandlaboratoryjobsng..com

Cheers

What has the science of histopathology got to do with public health? Most young women die from cervical cancer which has turned out to be a notable public health issue in Nigeria and yet it is preventable. It is with the intent of addressing this problem and share more information with the public that informed the giant step taken by the Medical Laboratory Council Of Nigeria to make it the frontal issue as she celebrates the 2009 World Biomedical Day.
Dr. J-Egwuonwu is the Coordinator  of the National Cervical Cancer Prevention Program(NCCPP). Here are some of his thoughts on this issue culled from the Guardian(Sunday May 3, 2009) pg. 18…,

Preamble
Cervical cancer is a malignant cancer of the cervix uteri or cervical area.  This disease causes the cells of the cervix to grow abnormally.  If not treated early, it can cause death.  Signs and symptoms include irregular bleeding from the vagina such as bleeding after menopause or after sexual intercourse.
It may also present with vaginal bleeding but symptoms may be absent until the cancer is in its advanced stages.  Treatment consists of surgery-local excision-in early stages and chemotherapy and radiotherapy in advanced stages of the disease.
Pap smear screening can identify potentially pre-cancerous changes.  Treatment of high grade changes can prevent the development of cancer.  In developed countries, the widespread use of cervical screening programs has reduced the incidence of invasive cervical cancer by 50% or more.
Human papillomavirus(HPV) infection is a necessary factor in the development of nearly all cases of cervical cancer.  HPV vaccine is effective against the two strains of HPV that cause most cervical cancer.  It has been licensed in the United States and European Union.  These two HPV strains together are currently responsible for approximately 70% of all cervical cancers.  Since the vaccine only covers some high-risk types, women should seek regular Pap smear screening even after vaccination.
About 0.5% of cervical cancers occur in pregnant women and about one third of women are under 35 years when given the diagnosis.  The survival rates for the pregnant versus the non-pregnant woman are very similar.  It is safe to have a Pap smear during a prenatal stage.
There are two types of cervical cancer- Squamous cell cancer and Adenocarcinoma.  These are both named after the type of cell that becomes cancerous.  In the early stages of the disease known as 1A and 1B, the cancer starts to grow into the deeper tissues of the cervix.
This is treated with surgery or radiotherapy.  The same treatment is given for stages 2A and 2B where the cancer spreads around the neck of the womb.  In stages 3A and 3B, the cancer spreads into the pelvis; this is treated with radiotherapy and chemotherapy.
The most serous stages of the disease are 4A and 4B, where the cancer spreads to other organs.  This often includes a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

CAUSES OF THE DISEASE
The HPV infection is a necessary factor in the development of almost all cases of cervical cancer.  It happens when normal cells in the cervix change into cancerous cells.
This change normally takes several years –five to 30, but can also happen in a short amount of time. before the cells turn into abnormal cells develop on the cervix that can be found by a Pap test
Prior to diagnosis, cervical cancer wasn’t given the attention it requires.  Although the number of cases of the disease has halved in recent years, it remains the second most common cancer in women under the age of 35.
To start with, cervical cancer affects the cervix-the lower part of the womb, also known as the uterus.  According to Macmillan Cancer Support, it can take many years to develop.
It occurs when abnormal cells contained in the cervix known as cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN), become diseased.  CIN is as a result of virus infection referred to as the human papillomavirus(HPV).  It is mainly passed on during sexual intercourse.
Most women who have had unprotected sexual intercourse in their lives will contract the virus but in most cases, their immune system removes it and they won’t know they’ve had it.  Women are said to be more prone to developing cervical cancer if they smoke; start to have sex at an early age; have many sexual partners; have taken the contraceptive pill for a long time or have a weakened immune system.  These are referred to as behavioral risk factors.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
The early stages of cervical cancer may be completely asymptomatic; vagina bleeding contact bleeding or a vaginal mass may indicate the presence of malignancy.   Also, moderate pain during sexual intercourse and vaginal discharge are symptoms of cervical cancer.  In advanced disease, metastasis may be present in the abdomen and lungs or elsewhere.
Symptoms of advanced cervical cancer may include among others loss of appetite, weitht loss, fatigue, pelvic pain, back pain, leg pain, single swollen leg, heavy bleeding from the vagina, leaking of urine or faeces from the vagina and bone fractures.

PREVENTIVE MEASURES
Regular screening can increase the survival rate of cervical cancer by 75%.  In order to identify and treat CIN cells in good time, women must have smear tests.  About 4.4 million women are invited for cervical screening each year in England with about 24, 000 of them having a severely abnormal cervical screening result.
Women are invited to attend a smear test from the age of 25 to 65 although, if sexually active, women are encouraged to come for testing form the age of 20.   They are given every three years up until the age of 49 and then every five years from the ages of 50 to 64.

HOW TO GO ABOUT TESTING AND SCREENING
The test itself involves a doctor or nurse inserting a spatula into the vagina to take a sample of cells. These cells are then taken to a lab for inspection.  Although slightly an uncomfortable procedure, it is quick, painless and saves lives.
At least women should go for test once every year.  The good news is that, if spotted early enough, cervical cancer is very treatable.  So it is important that women everywhere take regular smear tests.
The most serious stages of the disease are 4A and 4B, where the cancer spreads to other organs.  This often includes a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy.

THE ROLE OF NCCPP TO CONTROL THE SCOURGE
Recently, the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria(PFN) in partnership with NCCPP embarked on a nationwide free screening and treatment of cervical cancer for the women above 18 years in the country-a program aimed at reducing the scourge in the country by the end of 2009.  the program was focused manly on the screening and treatment of 100,000 women especially the under priviledged women in the rural areas.
It has been observed that less than 0.1% of Nigerian women avail themselves this screening and less than 1! Are aware of the existence of this killer disease, thereby killing a woman every one hour.  Although it is the easiest of all cancers to prevent, cervical cancer kills more 24-35 year old women in our society than any other cancer in any other part of the world.
The World Health Organization (WHO) has projected a 25% rise in the disease over the next decade in the absence of widespread intervention.
It takes N1000 to screen one woman, but a good number of under privileged ones cannot afford it.  And that is why we are calling on the government to invest in  it and save mothers’ lives from this preventable disease.  Also recently, NCCPP collaborate with MLSCN to educate mothers and women on the streets of Lagos about the cancer as well as the prostrate cancer in males as a part of the activities to mark the World Biomedical Science Day-a day set aside to highlight the role of the medical lab scientist in the public health with ‘Cancer’ as this year’s theme.

TREATMENT OF CERVICAL CANCER
MICRO-INVASIVE  cancer (Stage 1A) is usually treated by hysterectomy, which means removal of the whole uterus including part of the vagina.  For stage 2A, the lymph nodes are removed as well.  An alternative for patients who desire to remain fertile is a local surgical procedure(LEEP) or cone biopsy.
If a cone biopsy does not produce clear margins, one more possible treatment option for patients, who want to preserve their fertility is a trachelectomy.  This attempts to surgically remove the cancer while preserving the ovaries and uterus, providing for a more conservative operation than a hysterectomy.
It is a viable option for those in stage 1 cervical cancer, which ahs not spread.  However, it is not yet considered a standard cure , as few doctors are skilled in this procedure.  Even the most experienced surgeon cannot promise that a tracthelectormy can be performed until after surgical microscopic examination, as the extent of the spread of cancer is unknown. 
If the surgeon is not able to microscopically confirm clear margins of cervical tissue once the patient is under general anesthesia in the operating room, a hysterectomy may still be needed.
This can only be done during the same operation, if the patient has given prior consent.  Due to the possible risk of the cancer spreading to the lymph nodes in stage 1B cancers and some stage 1A cancers, the surgeon may also need to remove some lymph nodes from around the uterus for pathologic evaluation.
A radical trachelectomy can be performed abdominally or vaginally and there are conflicting opinions as to which is better.  A radical abdominal trachelectomy with lymphadenectomy usually only requires a two to three day hospital stay and most women recover very quickly.
Complications are uncommon, although women who are able to conceive after surgery are susceptible to pre-term labour and possible late miscarriage.  It is generally recommended to wait at least one year before attempting to become pregnant after surgery.
Recurrence in the residual cervix is very rare if the cancer has been cleared with the trachelectomy.  Yet, it is recommended for patients to practice vigilant prevention and follow up care including pap screenings, colposcopy, withbiopsies of the remaining lower uterine segment as needed-every 3-4 months for at least 5 years-to monitor for nay recurrence in addition to minimizing any new exposures to HPV through safe sex practices until one is actively trying to conceive.
Early stages less than 4cm can be treated with radical hysterectomy with removal of the lymph nodes or radiation therapy.  Radiation therapy is given as external beam radiotherapy to the pelvis and brachytherapy.
Patients treated with surgery who have high risk features found on pathologic examination and chemotherapy in order to reduce the risk of relapse.
Larger early stage tumors more than 4cm may be treated with radiation therapy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy, hysterectomy or cisplatin chemotherapy followed by hysterectomy.
Advanced stage tumors are treated with radiation therapy and cisplatin-based chemotherapy.  On June 15, 2006, the US Food and Drug Administration approved the use of a combination of two chemotherapy drugs, hycamtin and cisplatin for women with a late-stage cervical cancer treament.
Combination treatment has significant risk of neutropenia, anemia and thrombocytopenia side effects.

Here is the Federal Government salary range for MLS in Nigeria

Intern MLS is the least-About  N70,000 monthly

Director Salary is around N350,000 monthly

Labor unions are currently vigorously agitating for significant increase in emolument.

cheers

The Medical Laboratory Council Of Nigeria has publicly announced this year's World Biomedical Science Day. It is scheduled to hold between Monday 27th-Wednesday 29th April, 2009.
Venue: Nigerian Institute Of Medical Research, Yaba

Guest Speaker: Prof. E.E.U. Akang, U.C.H., Ibadan.

Registration is free.

You can pass this information to others.

Cheers

Jovlar hope you are still there? Since I visited your blog, I have been thinking of how to help you customize the blog into a simple, professional minisite guaranteed to improve your rating.

You can use the same tool I used for mine at
http:///deehx9

Contact me through megastock14@yahoo.com if you are having any problem with it.

Thanks chynenye, you are a star. I'll sure keep in touch through your comment on my site.

Chynenye, thanks for visiting my site. Your compliment is highly encouraging.
I'll be glad to have you leave a comment there at http://biomedicalinternet..com
when next you visit. Your criticism can also help me to improve on the quality of the content to make it more valuable to biomedical scientist anywhere in the world.

welcome too doklink. Could you please introduce yourself to the house?

Thanks to all you who responded to my clarion call on nairaland. Chinnonye, jovlar, domique-thumb up for all of you. I'm proud of your presence here. Very soon, you'll be part of the revolution ICT can impact on the profession.

Chinonye, where are you practicing? I am interested.

Jovlar, I am happy you are enjoying your time at Ado Ekiti. I'll definitely check out your blog. Trust that I will leave a comment for you.

Dominique, your comment reminds me of the hard times the profession has passed through but cheer up, we are already on the path to self actualization. The evolution of
the profession in Nigeria is dramatic and interesting. Very soon, we'll get to our Canaan land. You surely understand that no one can cover the glory of the sun.

I left some powerful resources for you all as a bonus for being proud of your profession at http://www.benardsolomon.com

Cheers

There is a group of health professionals who scientifically analyze body fluid of humans and animals for the purpose of medical diagnosis, treatment and research. Causes of ailments are established and chemotherapeutic agent recommended. They also monitor the response to therapy. These professionals are called Medical Laboratory Scientists.
If you are one them in nairaland, speak out in this post.

Freelance writers in the house kindly gist me on how you have been coping with the global meltdown. Any hope in freelance writing?