192nd National Executive Council Meeting communique Of The Association Of Medical Laboratory Scientists Of Nigeria (AMLSN), Held At Giginya Coral Hotel, Sokoto.

Communique Released at the End of the 192nd National Executive Council Meeting Of The Association Of Medical Laboratory Scientists Of Nigeria (AMLSN), Held At Giginya Coral Hotel, Sokoto.

 

 

PREAMBLE 

The 192nd NEC Meeting of the Association of Medical Laboratory 'Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) took place in Sokoto, Sokoto State. The meeting brought together stakeholders of Medical Laboratory Science profession in Nigeria. 

 

NEC addressed issues, achievements and challenges having direct bearing on the practice of Medical Laboratory Science profession in Nigeria such as: legal matters, updates on the e-learning programme of the Association and its sustainability, establishment matters, 2015 National Conference/ AGM, AMLSN Strategic Plan, finance, and matters related to the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). 

 

Highlights of the NEC Meeting included inauguration of 20 Standing Committees among others. NEC, led by the National President, Alh Toyosi Y. Raheem, paid advocacy visits to top government officials and institutions around Sokoto State. These included the Head of Civil Service, the Vice- Chancellor of Usmanu Danfodiyo University and the Chief Medical Director, Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital. 

 

KEY OBSERVATIONS AND RESOLUTIONS 

1.  Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria used the opportunity of the NEC meeting to again heartily congratulate our amiable and reliable President, Federal Republic of Nigeria- President Muhammadu Buhari (GCFR), the entire members of the National Assemblies (Senate and the House of Representatives), the various State Governors and State Assembly members for their well-deserved victories at the polls. NEC specially congratulated the Governor of the hosting State-His Excellency Barrister Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for successfully given an exemplary leadership as the Speaker of the r National Assembly, and for his overwhelming victory at the polls to emerge as the Executi ve Governor ofSokoto State. 

 

2.  NEC commended Sokoto State Government for the efforts in taking over the complete sponsorship of all undergraduates who are indigenes of the State that are studying Medical Laboratory Science, Medicine and Pharmacy, among other courses in the various universities by placing them on GL 7 salary scale until graduation. 

 

3.  The meeting observed and commended the sustenance of Quality Healthcare in Sokoto State, peace and harmony among all health professionals in the State. 

 

4.  NEC appealed to all States of the Federation to create Directorates of Medical Laboratory Services in their respective Ministries of Health, and to appoint the most senior Medical Laboratory Scientist as a Director in the Ministries of Health and Hospital Management Boards, as done for Nursing Services, Pharmaceutical Services, Clinical/Medical Services, etc. This will help to achieve high quality laboratory commodities and also ensure conformance to Quality Management System in all medical laboratories. It will also facilitate the implementation of the ISO 15189 standard for all medical laboratories which will further address quality assurance issues and help achieve a robust inspectorate unit under the directorate for Medical Laboratory Services. It will also help to coordinate, register, accredit and ensure quality services in all medical laboratories inline with the Scheme of Service for Medical Laboratory Scientists and the 2013 landmark judgment by the National Industrial COUli of Nigeria which is in favour of Medical Laboratory Scientists. 

 

 

 

5.  Public-Private-Partnership (PPP): NEC observed as worrisome, the manner and scope of introducing Public-Private Partnership Policy (PPP) in public health institutions in Nigeria. Its introduction is vendetta- driven. Despite the fact that World Health Organization emphasizes Universal Health Coverage which must be accessible, available and afforable Health Coverage which must be accessible, available and affordable, the manner of interducting PPP in some General and Teaching Hospitals in Nigeria is targeted at increasing the out-of-pocket expenditures of the common man in Nigeria and consequently making health services unaffordable to the majority of the populace. It also enriches certain categories of health professionals who now take more interestes an delight in referring their parofessionals who now take more interests and delight in referring their patients to PPP labs at the expense and detriment of the patients. PPP in the public health sector in Nigeria is clearly a policy somersault designed to confer monoploy on shylock business outfits especially in Teaching Hospital in Nigeria. Teaching Hospitals are supposed to be centres of excellence for quality and affordable services, training and research. Any attempt to relegate these, statutory functions will meet stiffresistance from the exploited masses. 

 

6.  NEC noted that Usmanu Danfodiyo University is the first to transit from 'School' to 'Faculty' status for Medical Laboratory Science programme of all universities in Nigeria. This achievement has attracted healthy competition from other universities in Nigeria and in some West African  countries, culminating in these universities' readiness to restructure Medical Laboratory Science programmes into faculty in their respective  universities. NEC meeting however, observed with regret, that this lofty  achievement by Usmanu Danfodiyo University is being truncated by the  National Universities Commission (NUC): possibly due to lack of clear  understanding and evaluation of the programme and the process for  approval. It is beyond doubt that the prerogative to run a programme on  faculty structure lie within the purview of the Senate of the affected University, which will in turn communicate same to NUC for final  approval. NEC therefore called on the Usmanu Danfodiyo University to help in fast-tracking the resolution of the misunderstanding on the approval of the Faculty structure for Medical Laboratory Science Programme in the University. The positive resolution of this misunderstanding will further place Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto in the class of universities with a clear vision and mission for excellence in all her academic programmes. The University will be a tremendous example for other universities to emulate. 

 

7. NEC frowned at the incessant work place impunity, intimidations and harassments, denial of promotions and other entitlements melted on Medical Laboratory Scientists and other health professionals by selfish, corrupt and ego-driven Chief Executives of some health institutions in Nigeria. Members resolved not to be intimidated or harassed and shall continue to demand for their legitimate inalienable professional rights in the health sector. 

 

8. NEC directed all our members throughout the country to redouble their professional efforts on the elimination of vaccine preventable diseases such as Poliomyelitis, measles, Ebola Virus Disease and many others. Members were further urged to increase advocacy efforts on the laboratory diagnosis and preventive strategies ofthese diseases in all the 774 LGAs in Nigeria. 

 

CONCLUSION/APPRECIATION 

No doubt, the 192Hd NEC meeting of our Association in Sokoto State was very successful and fruitful. It was well attended by over 30 ofthe 36 State branches including Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and several Chapters of the Association. 

 

NEC appreciate the Executive Governor of the hosting State -His Excellency Banister Aminu Waziri Tambuwal for providing and maintaining an enabling environment for the NEC meeting. 

 

NEC also appreciates the immense contributions and logistic supports given to our Association by the Vice Chancellor of Us manu Danfodiyo University Sokoto, Dean of Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science of the University, the entire Principal officers of the University, the Chief Medical Director of Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital and his Management staff the Head of Service of the State and his principal officers, and the entire citizens of Sokoto State. 

 

We equally appreciate the Sokoto State branch of our Association for making us very proud by successfully hosting the 192nd NEC meeting of the Association. 

 

To God be the Glory! 

 

Signed

Alh. Toyosi Y. Reheem

National President

 

Suraj A. Junaid

Natioanl Secretary 

 

Adeyeye Adetunji Tam

National PRO