The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has noted with Admiration, the excellent and giant strides by Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). It has become an obvious indelible record that in the last 4 years, the leadership of MLSCN has positively transformed statutory function of the regulatory body. AMLSN also commends the Federal Government of Nigeria through the Governing Board of MLSCN for the bold and patriotic decision to allow unhindered regulatory activities of MLSCN with a view of ensuring quality medical laboratory services in Nigeria in line with the global expectations, It is noteworthy that in line with the transformation agenda of the present administration. MLSCN received the commendation of the Presidency for developing the Five-Years Strategic Plan and its vision of becoming a world acclaimed regulatory agency for good medical laboratory services and practice and for the establishment of the Public Health In vitro Diagnostics Control Laboratory in Lagos. 

AMLSN has noted with delight, other achievements of MLSCN in the past 4 yea some of which are: 

 

1. CONSTRUCTION OF A BEFITTING PERMANENT HEAOQ.UARTERS AND LABORATORY COMPLEX IN AGUJA! 

It is one thing to dream big, but to achieve one requires determination, focus and commitment. We know that when the Board and Management of MLSCN decided to construct a befitting permanent headquarters and laboratory complex in Abuja, not many peoplethought the project would see the light of day. Under the indefatigable leadership of MLSCN, phase 1 has now been completed, thus making Councilthe first Regulatory Body in the health sector to own a property of such magnificence in the core of Abuja municipality. Apart from enabling Council staff to perform optimally in a conducive environment this monument edifice will outlive even those whose sacrifices have made it possible. If this monumental edifice does riot represent the spirit of transformation, we wonder what else does.

 

2. ADMISSION OF MLSCN INTO THE MEMBERSHIP OF THE INTERNATION LABORATORY ACCREDITATION COOPERATION (ILAC/international Accreditation Forum {(IAF} thus blazing the trail in the entire West and Central Africa as the first internationally recognized Accreditation body. 

 

3. MLSCN's influence at the global stage has continued to grow through the development of new strategic partnerships involving foreign organizations  as the US Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (COC), West African Heal Organization (WAHO). South African National Accreditation System (SANAS the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) among other 

 

4. ESTABLISHMENT OF THE PUBUC HEALTH IN-VITRO DIAGNOSTICS CONTROL LABORATORY IN LAGOS: MLSCN is pursuing its mandate as it relates to regulation of the manufacture, importation. stocking and distribution of IVD. This was a totally uncharted territory for the country as the IVDs market w. the most unregulated and abused to the extent that reagents and kits we sold in the open market by even illiterates thereby putting, the health ' citizens who rely on those Items for laboratory diagnosis at risk. 

 

5. RECOGNITION Of MLSCN as the WHO/ASLM SLIPTA local Agency for Niger thus strengthening, MLSCN In the performance of its regulatory functions formedical laboratory services.

 

6. MLSCN's Registrar/CEO membership of World Governing Board on Strengthening Laboratory Management towards Accreditation (SLMTA). 

 

7 . ARTICULATING  PUBLISHING AND LAUNCHING.  for the first time in the history of medical laboratory services regulation in the country a set of various Guidelines and Standards for services and practice with the attendant benefitsthat both practitioners and others, who may wish to open medical laboratoriesare now guided accordingly right from the outset.

 

 

8.  DEPLOYMENT OF QUALITY ASSURANCE TOOLS such as for Laboratory Inspection. Approval. Mentoring, Guidance, Quantitative Assessment. as well as Accreditation to ensure that medical laboratory services delivered to citizens meet global benchmarks in both private and public medical laboratories Nigeria

 

9. As approved by the Honourable Minister of Health, inaugurated an INDEPENDENT ADVISORY COMMITTEE (lAC) made up of a cross section ofeminent Nigerians & distinguished laboratory professionals. The Committee hl the duty to consider and approve reports or laboratory assessments carried 01 by Council to ensure that they are above board. 

 

10. NATIONWIDE CAPACITY FOR THE IMPLEMENTATION OF LABORATORY QUALITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEMS: AMLSN proudly notes that, in line with the clamour for the strengthening of institutions, MLSCN has continued to build nationwide capacity for the implementation of laboratory Quality Management Systems through workshops, seminars and so on. These also form part of MLSCN's collaborative efforts with the MELTNA/CDC project aimed at improving laboratory services in Nigeria. besides building the capacity of participants to understand the national accreditation scheme and the quality systems essentials. 

 

11. ESTABUSHMENT OF THE NATIONAL EXTERNAL QUALITY ASSURANCE LAGORATORY: 

As part of its mandate, MLSCN in collaboration with Axios Foundation and funding by US CDC established the National External Quality Assurance laboratory at the National Tuberculosis and Leprosy Training Centre, Save Zaria. This laboratory continues to organize national training (or labs. on the need and value of participating in EQA activities, procurement of proficiency panels for C04, Haematology. Chemistry, HIV serology, and recently commenced local production of AFB & MP microscopy panels. These panels are distributed to participating laboratories. A National Profidency Testing Corrective Actions committee was set up to review the Panel reports and investigate poor performing laboratories towards ensuring that accurate laboratory results are generated from laboratories subscribing to the MLSCN EQA. . 

 

12. PUBLISHING OF FIVE-YEAR STRATEGIC PLAN (2014-2018): furthermore. the Council had developed and published its five Year Strategic Plan (2014-2018) with a view to further strengthening health laboratory systems across the country and providing inspiration, guidance and direction for the realization of Council's mandate and strategic goals. 

 

13. SPONSORSHIP OF PUBLIC ENLIGHTENMENT CAMPAIGNS: In Pursuant to its core mandate. MLSCN has at different times sponsored public enlightenment campaigns to create awareness on the dangers of patronizing unapproved and unaccredited laboratories through the electronic and print media. This was necessitated by the fact that Quackery is a hydra headed monster, a cankerworm that has eaten deep into the fabric of our health services. Including the Medical laboratories. 

 

14. DEVELOPMENT OF SHARED VISION AND MISSION OF MLSCN and aligning the . Management and Staff towards improved quality performance. 

 

15. ESTALISHMENT OF MORE ZONAL AND STATE OFFICES ln order to ensure that every nook and cranny of the country Is better served. Apart from earlier Offices, Sokoto, Jos, Owerri and Gombe have recently commenced activities. lokoja, lbadan and Port Harcourt are expected to follow soon. 

 

16. DEVELOPMENT OF COUNCIL QUALITY MANUAL to streamline Its services as it Regulator. 

 

17. COMMENCEMENT OF CAMPAIGNS FOR EQA AND STATE COMPETENCY TESTING to be made mandatory for all medical laboratories in Nigeria to ensure standard practice and ensure reliability. reproducibility and confidence in medical laboratory test results. 

 

18. APPOINTMENT OF THE REGISTRAR/CEO MLSCN AS THE CHAIRMAN OF THE AFRICAN SOCIETY FOR LABORATORY MEDICINE (ASLM) 2016 CONFERENCE: 

AMLSN is not surprised at the recent appointment of the Registrar/CEO MLSCN as the Chairman of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) 2016 Conference in cape Town, South Africa. Such a distinguished recognition eloquently testifies to the rising profile of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria under the leadership of the current Registrar/CEO- Professor Anthony Emeribe.  It is also the international community's way of acknowledging the on-going transformation of the medical laboratory servicessector in Nigeria and beyond. . 

 

CONCLUSION:

In continuation of the excellent services to our country and to the glory of God, we wish to assure the MLSCN's Governing Board, Registrar/CEO, Staff and Management of the Council, of our unflinching support to the Council in their - quest to improve the quality of medical' laboratory services in Nigeria. 

 

Congratulations ! 

 

Signed

Alh Toyosf.Y. Raheem 

National President

 

Suraj A Junaid 

National Secretary 

 

Tam Adetunji Adeyeye 

Public Relation Officer