The Akwa Ibom State Government has shut down 12 Medical Laboratories within the Uyo metropolis, the state capital.
Prof. Augustine Umoh, the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Health made the disclosure to newsmen in Uyo after the State Monitoring/Inspection Team headed by Dr. Augustine Udoh sealed some laboratories on Sunday.
Prof. Umoh said the clampdown is in compliance with the directive from the State Executive Council over sub standard services of medical Laboratories operators in the state.
Umoh explained that monitoring of Medical Laboratories would be extended to other parts of the state such as Ikot Ekpene, Abak, Eket and Oron Local Government Areas axis of the state to check quack Laboratories in the state.
Why Akwa Ibom State Government shutdown the Medical Laboratories
Prof. Augustine Umoh said 12 medical laboratories were allegedly involved in unwholesome medical practices dangerous to excellent health care delivery services.
The Commissioner listed offences of the sealed laboratories to include lack of Certificate of registration with the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, Non evidence of registration with Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, lack of qualified Laboratory Scientists and other supporting staff in the Laboratories.
Others were the lack of Test Result Book in the Laboratories, no Laboratory Register, lack of personal operating license of Laboratory Technicians as well as unethical practices dangerous to medical diagnosis of diseases.
On his part, the Head of the Monitoring/Inspection Team, Dr. Augustine Udoh, said lack of precision in medical laboratory tests administered to patients resulted in poor medical diagnosis.
Udoh said such medical diagnosis emanating from defective Laboratory facilities could mislead Medical Doctors in prescribing the right drugs for treatment of various ailments.
He said one of the Laboratories visited was using a student on Industrial Training to work and issue test results instead of Certified Laboratory Scientist while others impersonate popular names of Laboratory Scientist in the state to defraud members of the public.
Reopening of the Sealed Medical Laboratories
He explained that those laboratories sealed would only be reopened when their proprietors fulfill all conditions by the Akwa Ibom State Ministry of Health, including engagement of competent technical personnel in their Laboratory facilities.
Source: NAN
