IBLS Day 2022: AMLSN NAUTH marks day in style
Members of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Nnewi Chapter have joined the rest of the world to commemorate this year’s International Biomedical Laboratory Science (IBLS) Day in style.
Speaking at an event to commemorate the Day marked every 15th of April, the Chairman AMLSN NAUTH Chapter MLS. Ezenwa Onochie Bruno stated that the International Biomedical Laboratory Science (IBLS) day was established to celebrate the key role of Biomedical Laboratory personnel in diagnostic and preventive health care systems.
He noted that the purpose of the day was to increase the awareness in the public space of the role played by Biomedical Laboratory Scientists in helping people survive the pandemic through quality development and assurance, research, and development in modern medical sciences.
He added: “On this day, we celebrate ourselves as professionals as it offers us an opportunity to reflect on our contributions, what we have learned, and the values we have brought to health care.”
MLS. Ezenwa informed that the theme for 2022 which is Testing Times, Biomedical Laboratory Scientists’ role in the covid-19 pandemic was selected by the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) to address health issues related to the Covid-19 virus which equally supports the United Nations (UN) and WHO sustainable development Goals (SDGs).
He reiterated that Medical Laboratory Scientists happen to be the largest group of healthcare professionals and that their vital role in medicine and public health cannot be overemphasized.
Other activities done to promote the event was the Free Glucose screening for patients being monitored or treated for diabetes.
On her part, the LOC Chairman, Lady Agbasi Anuli (Deputy Director Medical Laboratory Science) in her opening remark made it clear that Medical Laboratory Science is the bedrock of medical practice and the role of Medical Laboratory Science in containing the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overemphasized as they are also behind the testing of clinical specimens from infected and any recovered patients.
She summarised by admonishing Scientists to be good ambassadors of the profession by being thorough, meticulous, and serious in the discharge of our duties in the laboratory as the lives of patients are largely dependent on laboratory results.
In his goodwill message, the CMD Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital Nnewi Dr. Joseph Ogboaja represented by the CMAC Dr. Ezejiofor Ogechukwu commended the Association for organizing the event and said that Medical Laboratory Scientists should know that they are disease detectives and that their activities in the laboratory and the management of the COVID-19 virus influence clinical outcomes in patients management and treatment.
He also assured the profession of their unalloyed support in making laboratory activities in the hospital seamless and world-class.
The colorful event held at the Gilbert Metu Uzodike auditorium NAUTH Nnewi was well attended.
It had Prof. Nneka Agbakoba as keynote Speaker who spoke on the theme of this year’s IBLS day.
Mrs. Nkiru Okafor spoke on the topic Tackling the Covid-19 Pandemic: Are We Winning the war? While Prof. Johnson Afonne did justice to the topic: Pharmacodynamics on Covid-19 response to treatment.
The event had sponsorship from AFROGANIKS and AGBL WEST AFRICA.
Report by
Obinna CHUKWUDI
Secretary, Conference Planning Committee
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