As a further testimony to the rising profile of the Medicial Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) on the world stage, its Registrar/ CEO, Prof Anthony Emeribe has been appointed as chairman of the next African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) Conference slated for December 5-9, 2016 in Cape

Town, South Africa. The theme of the conference is “Lab Medicine in Africa: Combating Global Health Threats”. He is to co-chair the continental event with Prof Wendy Stevens, Consultant Haematologist at the National Health Laboratory Service, South Africa. According to the organizers, the theme of the conference and the manner of its exploration will have far reaching implications for health care delivery in general and laboratory medicine in particular across the continent.

 

Medical Lab Scientists and clinicians are, therefore, urged to commence preparations for the epoch-making event, which draws participants from across Africa, including Health Ministers, Europe, America, Asia and so on. Also, global development partners and the private sector will be always represented at the conference. Speaking on his appointment as chairman of the 2016 conference, Emeribe described it as an honour, which comes with huge responsibilities and expectations, noting that the ASLM Conference had continued to provide the biggest, most prestigious and most effective platform for the furtherance of Laboratory Medicine across Africa. According him, the huge representation of governments at the highest level, drawn from all continents of the globe as well as international development partners and the private sector makes the conference unique. “Besides, presentations would be based on cutting edge scientific and technological innovations in the areas of laboratory medicine. There is no better forum for lab scientists to keep abreast of the latest developments in the profession,” he said.

 

 

Emeribe also noted that it is with a view to further broadening participation at the conference that young scientists and students are being offered limited opportunity for sponsorship as volunteers as well as rewarding mentorship sessions on grant/paper writing and presentation skills amongst other benefits. “It is a fact that the young ones are the future of Laboratory Medicine or any other profession for that matter. We need to start integrating them into scheme of things as early as possible so as to ensure continuity and sustainability in whatever ideals or vision we are expounding today. No sacrifice is too much to prepare those who would take over from us,” he said.