I just discovered a molecular diagnostic cenre that can offer a wide range of molecular assays using DNA hybridization, PCR techniques, etc. It is located at the Medical Laboratory Science Department, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus. I attended a workshop there last week and the standard is excellent. Visit their site to find out more www.safetybiomedical.org
Happy Independence day!

Thanks Benard, I really appreciate.

@ Zingy, Its about the same thing here in Nigeria. The interns are given a provissional lisence to practise for one year after which a full lisence will be given to them during their registration with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) at the completion of internship .

They will be trained by the Scientists in the various departments of the laboratory and are expected to carry out certain laboratory procedures under their supervision. This means you will be expected to read plates, slides and so on after you must have been trained. You will also take calls in the different departments but will have another scientist on call as a supervisor.

In essence you are expected to perfect in carrying out all laboratory procedures on completion of internship after which you can specialize in your area.

Hello everyone! Feels good to be back to our great forum after such a long time. Thanks to you all for keeping the ball rolling.

Please i need info on something really important. How can one test for the DNA of Hepatitis B virus in serum using either dot blot hybridization or PCR technique. I will like to know where i can access the reagents or kits here in Nig.

@ nice, similar questions have been treated on this forum. Its no longer possible for anyone to do a professional course as a pre-requisite for registration with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria. Neither is an M.Sc accepted. The only solution is through a direct entry into a second yr class or through JAMB.

@ dominique, I'm really sorry its late but i believe it went well. The questions are usually what you are expected to know as a med lab sct and some current affairs. Most times the problem is not passing the test but "who do you know".Well, i strongly believe that you will be successful with God on your side.

The anatomy of the tse-tse fly is such that it does not permit the development of microfilaria. So tse-tse flies cannot transmit filaria worms. It transmits trypanosomes causing trypanosomiasis. The different types of filariasis are caused as a result of a bite from an infected black fly (Simulium) or mosquitoes. Ivermectin (mectizan), diethylcarbamazine (DEC) and albendazole are the current drugs of choice for eliminating the microfilariae but the adult worms which produce the microfilariae will require years of treatment. Surgical excision of the nodules (which houses the adult worms) in combination with the administration of ivermectin has been very effective in treating those affected in the country. However, diagnosis of filariasis is only possible through laboratory testing.

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.

@ 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.

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.

Hepatitis B infection is treatable but the antivirals used such as lamivudine are not what can just be gotten over-the-counter. The services of a good doctor should be employed. The good news is that it is preventable. Vaccines are available and high-risk behaviours such as having unprotected sex and sharing of sharp objects should be avoided. Also blood transfusions should be employed only when absolutely essential and the blood must be screened.

I want the new board members to treat the issue of medical lab scientists not being allowed to head the various departments of the laboratory in teaching hospitals. 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. Histopathologists should also be allowed to read slides.

Another area that demands attention is the need for enforcement of the new consolidated salary structure all over the federation.

I also want the issue of discrimination against the holders of AMLSCN both by our colleagues and employers to be handled. I believe we need unity to get to our next level.

Thanks Bernard, your site is as loaded as ever. Thumbs up!

@ dewoy, 158 Do you mean 158mg/dl ?That is actually higher than the normal range of 65 -105mg/dl (may vary slightly). This means a raised blood glucose level, a condition known as hyperglycaemia (usually indicative of diabetes mellitus). This is due to a deficiency or reduced effectiveness of insulin which is the most important hormone that regulates the amount of glucose in the blood. Common symptoms of diabetes mellitus include excretion of large amounts of glucose in the urine (glycosuria), excretion of an excessive amount of urine (polyuria) and excessive thirst (polydipsia). If a repeat of this test still gives a high result, i advise you see a doctor for proper management. You may be placed on insulin and will need to go to a medical laboratory from time to time for blood sugar testing cos it has to be monitored. It is essential u mind what u eat (less of carbohydrates). Proper management regimen is important to avoid complications.

Hello to all my professional colleagues. I sincerely apologise for being away for so long. I had to take care of certain things that had kept me very busy. I'm so glad to be back and i must say you are all doing a great job in this forum. It is really blossoming. Pls do keep the flag flying.

@ dayleke thanks for the comment. Happy reunion to u guys.
@ Benard Perhaps everyone has forgotten abt the query on the possibility of a woman to give birth to a set of twins from diff fathers. Well i need the blood samples of the babies, the mother and the fathers in question. A blood grouping test for the various blood groups such as the ABO blood groups, MNSs groups, the Rhesus grp, the Duffy bld grps, the Kidd bld grp, the Lewis bld grp, etc, and tests for secretor Genes will give me a lead on the next batch of tests to carry out. I can't say a yes or a no to that without running some tests. Abi wetin u think?

Hello to all the medical laboratory scientists in the house. You are all great!
@ Hajikebs. The current golden drug of choice for both urinary and intestinal schistosomiasis is Praziquantel.

Well, it actually depends on d state. Some states pay higher than that. Enugu State is an example.

Nice post, Bernard. This year's theme is really a great one. Medical laboratory scientists must realize how vital their role is in public health especially in curbing this menace called cancer. MLSCN must be commended for enlightening the public on this silent killer that seems to derive little or no attention.

Benard, i left a comment for you. I dont hv any criticism for now. I will certainly let u know when i do.

Benard, i left a comment for you. I dont hv any criticism for now. I will certainly let u know when i do.

@Benard, i checked out ur site and i must say its wonderful. U r really doin a great job. Pls keep d flag flying.
@Jovlar, I enjoyed reading through ur posts. Very educative i must say. Do keep up the good work. I urge every member of this forum to check it out.

Yea! I'm a member of this group of unique professionals. A proud medical laboratory scientist with specialty in medical parasitology. Its great being a solution provider to hypothesis in diagnosis.

If u r really sure its candidiasis a combination of this 3 will help. Nizoral (topical cream), fluconazole(tabs) and betrosil (vaginal tabs). U can see ur pharmacist for d dosage. I will advice u go for a laboratory test to ensure u r treating d rt thing (if u hv not done so).

Phantom, i really agree privatizatn is a very nice idea bt i sense it might not favour fresh grads nd d practice might loose its vision nd become sorely a profit thing. I think d fight hv to continue, NMA need to step up its game. Yea, i agree its taking time bt u ll agree wit me u guyz r better paid now than wht it used to be. There is hope.

Lol, I really do get what u r saying. I understand ur pay rt now isn't commensurate wit all d med sch stress. Bt u sound lik u guyz r d only ppl affected. Its general u know. I'm a med lab sct nd i must say d pay isn't appetizing. But then we can keep hopin dat things ll get better here rather than joining ur colleagues abroad. Hope u aint thinkin u might hope 4 eva?

Hey why so much talk abt pay? D country is certainly not treating everybody right bt does dat mean we shd all leave? Pls put d pay thing aside nd try to focus on d call nd u ll see d cash flow in. Yea, i dont mean u'll b rich. Its not all abt d money u know or were u taught otherwise in med sch?

Yea, i really agree its a very tough course esp d genetics nd molecular biology part. Majority of my classmates used to complain abt it nd i must say i was not an exception. I think its actually d fault of d lecturers cos they make students believe its a hard nut to crack but its not so. Genetics is quite easier to understand. Molecular biology requires a lot of studying nd u will discover its quite interesting. Try to go beyond ur notes, u can use various texts. Nester's microbiology is quite simplified. I must say dat d best part of d profession in Nigeria is lab practice esp private. But u must luv d profession to excel. I urge u to dev a special likeness for it esp while u r at ur summer job. Its a lovely profession.

What's d problem? Maybe i can b of help. I'm a trainee though.