The National Leadership of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has made a case for the employment of more Medical Laboratory Scientists into the agencies under the Federal Ministry of Interior (FMoI) as this will go a long way to check quackery.
AMLSN National President Prof. James G. Damen made the case when he led a delegation on a courtesy visit to the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Interior (FMoI), Dr. Shuaib Mohammed Belgore recently.
Speaking further, Prof. Damen requested for correction in the entry point and proper placement of Medical Laboratory Scientists in the FMoI, in accordance with the circulars from the Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (OHCSF) and the Federal Ministry of Health.
He also requested for the Ministry to fully equip the medical laboratory facilities under the purview of the FMoI as well as encouraged the Ministry to ensure that the medical laboratory facilities under its purview are duly accredited by the MLSCN.
While responding, Dr. Shuaib Mohammed Belgore expressed appreciation for this auspicious visit by the AMLSN delegation, noting that the visit is the first of its kind by any health professional association, since his assumption of office as Permanent Secretary.
Furthermore, he stated that his responsibility is to do what is administratively right in the Ministry and that he is ever committed to doing the needful.
On the issue of wrong placement and non-implementation of circulars from the FMOH and the OHCSF, he expressed worry over the non-implementation of the relevant circulars. However, he assured the delegation that he will work assiduously with the Board and effect the necessary corrections.
Regarding the concern raised on the employment of more Medical Laboratory Scientists into the agencies under the Ministry, he said he will make an assessment of the workload and act accordingly, with preference to the Nigerian Correctional Service, because of the high workload.
Further, on the issue of quackery due to employment of non-Medical Laboratory Scientists within the medical laboratory facilities of the Ministry, he promised to consider the request in subsequent recruitments of the medical laboratory staff, adding that the Ministry will only engage registered and licensed Medical Laboratory Scientists into the agencies under it.
On the issue of accreditation of medical laboratory facilities of agencies under the FMoI by MLSCN, he clarified that MLSCN is empowered by law to accredit medical laboratory facilities. He, therefore, called upon the Council to carry out its legitimate duty as enshrined in law.
In conclusion, the Permanent Secretary said as an ally of the Medical Laboratory Science profession, he is ready to cooperate with the profession to do what is needed and expected of him.
The highlight of the occasion was the presentation of a text and relevant circulars from the FMoH and OHCSF, by the National President, as well as posing for a group photograph.
Members of the delegation included the Director, MLSCN Accreditation Services, Dr. Donald I. Ofili; AMLSN Project coordinator, Elder Godwin Ihimekpen; AMLSN Deputy Project Coordinator, Mr. Oye Oyetude; Mr. Maikura Tata, Nigerian Correctional Service; Mrs. Gift Cyprian Onyeka, DSC, NSCDC; Mr. Adelore Adediran, CSC, NSCDC; Mr. Orelga H. A, Nigerian Correctional Service; PA to the AMLSN National President, Mr. Polit Umanka Y.
Culled from:
Polit Umanka Yelpoji
PA to the National President, AMLSN.
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