In a fresh push for reform, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has called on the Federal Government to ensure that the National Health Act of 2014 is fully implemented.
This came during a media chat with journalists in Owerri, held as part of events to mark World Biomedical Laboratory Science Day.
The group is also demanding a shift in how Health Ministers are selected arguing that the role shouldn’t be limited to only medical doctors. Instead, they believe it’s time for professionals within their own ranks to be considered for the top job.
Speaking on the overlooked but critical role of biomedical scientists in Nigeria’s health system, National President, Uche Odionyenma, reminded the public that in the health care service delivery system, no medication can be carried out on any patient without diagnosis.
He stressed that it is the duty of the Biomedical Laboratory Scientist to diagnose patients in order to ascertain the kind of sickness they are suffering from before commencement of any treatment.
Despite their vital function, Odionyenma said the profession has suffered neglect. He blamed poor policy implementation for pushing biomedical scientists to the margins, allowing unqualified individuals to hijack their roles.
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To highlight their contribution, he pointed out that International BLS Day is celebrated each year on every 15th of April, to raise awareness about the essential work of biomedical lab scientists in early detection and accurate diagnosis of diseases, monitoring of treatment, disease surveillance and prevention.
He didn’t hold back his frustration over the infiltration of the profession by quacks, saying it has rendered it impotent to operate as a professional body saddled with the responsibilities of delivering reliable and adequate health care services to the people.
He concluded that the implementation of the National Health Act will help to sanitize that particular health sector given its importance in health care service delivery.