Hakeem Gbadamosi, Author at Tribune Online

The Association of University Academic Medical Laboratory Scientists (AUAMLS) has called on government at all levels to do all that is necessary to alleviate the pains of the harsh economic realities on the health and wellbeing of the ordinary citizens of Nigeria. This was contained in the communique issued by by association at the end of its maiden conference held at the Federal University, Otuoke, Bayelsa. The Conference which appreciated all the efforts of the federal government geared towards stabilising the economy urged the Federal Government to prioritize funding for health research, especially Medical Laboratory Science research. The Scientists noted that battles against diseases across the world are either won or lost in the laboratories. The communique read: "Conference commended the National Universities Commission (NUC) for birthing the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic standards (CCMAS) for Nigerian universities. "However, conference is concerned that the CCMAS does not adequately address the training required for contemporary Medical Laboratory Science practice. "Conference therefore called on the NUC to approve the commencement of the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science (MLSD) as a way to address the shortcomings of the BMLS curriculum in the CCMAS. "To this end, conference noted the importance of establishing a National Health Laboratory Research Agency to coordinate nationwide health laboratory research, development and production of vaccines, local production of in vitro diagnostics and other diagnostic reagents as well as the fabrication of diagnostic equipment, all of which have the potential to enhance our health parameters and earn revenue for the country. "Conference called on the Federal Government to approve the Central Internship Posting for graduates of Medical Laboratory Science to put to an end the onerous challenges they face in securing internship placement. "Conference called on the MLSCN to put in place, a more robust, effective, and accessible Continuous Professional Development (CPD) policy to ensure that Medical Laboratory Science Lecturers and Laboratory Instructors are engaged in professional development and knowledge updates for licensure. "Conference also called on MLSCN to strengthen its regulatory roles in order to enhance standards of Medical Laboratory Science education and practice, and to safeguard the health of the citizens" The President of AUAMLS, Mathew Folaranmi Olaniyan, while declaring the conference open, tasked the scientists to advocate for policies that support curriculum innovation. He urged them to promote ongoing professional development and uphold the highest standards of competence among educators and practitioners. He said "Let this conference serve as a springboard for meaningful transformation. May we leave here with a renewed determination to take actionable steps—toward innovation, excellence, and the elevation of medical laboratory science education in Nigeria and beyond. "The 21st century has ushered in extraordinary advancements in science and technology, and our field is no exception. In this global era, digital innovations, international partnerships, and unified practice standards demand that our education systems evolve to prepare future medical laboratory scientists for global relevance and impact. "Achieving this requires us to revamp our curriculum to include emerging technologies, advanced diagnostics, and ethical practices aligned with international standards. "We must not only adapt but also anticipate the needs of a world increasingly dependent on sophisticated laboratory diagnostics and personalized medicine". READ MORE FROM: NIGERIAN TRIBUNE