AMLSN Lauds Tinubu’s Executive Order on Laboratories for PHCs
CHIGOZIE AMADI
The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), has applauded President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Executive Order enabling local production of diagnostics and pharmaceuticals describing it as deliberate government policy to support local production and eliminate bureaucracies in pharmaceutical production
AMLSN’s National President, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, who made this disclosure at the weekend during the 60th Annual Scientific Conference/General Meeting and Diamond Jubilee Anniversary of the association held in Owerri, Imo State capital, maintained that the availability of laboratory services was not something to compromise.
“We must be committed to putting resources to expand laboratory services, to develop facilities and make sure they are available everywhere,” he said.
While acknowledging that there has been reviewed minimum package for health in the National Health Act, he regretted that in the reviewed minimum package, laboratory components was copiously missing in the reviewed package.
We have also identified that we do not have a national laboratory network but one good thing is that early this year, founders and international partners saw that need and are beginning to support development of guideline in that regard.
He called for the development of department medical laboratory services, adding thar some States like Imo do not have this department as aptly provided in the National Medical Laboratory Policy.
His words: “You must have the department of Directorate of Medical Laboratory Services which will provide leadership direction for service providing that will ensure coordination of services that will also drive the process of quality of assurance, quality control and protection of health seeking members of the public.
“These are challenges that we face in the healthcare delivery system in Nigeria and that is why the conference is calling for strengthening collaboration in the sector.”
He highlighted the importance of National Health Security as an integral part of national security.
His words: We are saying in meetings and conversation about national health security such as when the National Security adviser meets with security Chiefs, he should have experts to provide insights into national health security threats and how to mitigate them.”
He commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the Executive Order on local production of diagnostics and pharmaceuticals became available.
“Due to weak nature of our naira to the dollar, you find out that most times most diagnostics are becoming out of the reach of the people.
“So, we commend government deliberate policy to support local production and we commend President Tinubu for taking that decision to eliminate bureaucracies coming by way of executive order.
He however urged the federal government as a way to stop brain drain in the sector, to take away taxes in the earnings of health workers and have a deliberate policy to provide housing to health workers just like their judicial counterpart.
The 60th AGM of AMLSN also in a resolution suspended Dr. Uche Odionyema as a member of the association for various constitutional breaches.
They also passed a resolution suspending the use and operation of illegally opened FCMB account Number :200464370 opened by Dr. Uche Odionyema and his cohorts.
The AGM held that “the FCMB account is fictious and apparently Guideline 2018 and AMLSN Constitution 2018 (As Amended).
The AGM also issued a disclaimer on the purported Conference allegedly being planned by Dr. Uche Odionyenma who has been restrained by the Federal High Court Kano from parading himself as President of AMLSN.
AMLSN also advised members and the general public including the government of Abia State government not to have anything to do with either Dr. Uche Odionyenma on behalf of AMLSN or the said Conference.
The AGM also removed BOT Chairman Chief Mrs. Adunni Udu and replaced by Mrs. Grace Eronini of Imo Specialist Hospital. The motion was moved by Fewedu Ibrahim and seconded by Dr. Brendan Mamah.
