Acting Registrar, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Mr Tosan Erhabor, on Wednesday inducted the first set of medical laboratory scientists trained by the University of Ibadan, even as he said the council had closed this year eight illegal institutions training medical laboratory scientists.
Mr Erhabor, speaking at the induction of 18 medical laboratory scientists graduands in Ibadan, said only universities were recognised by the council to train medical laboratory scientists in the country.
The acting registrar, who said some other cadres of medical laboratory practitioners could be trained at the board accredited Colleges of Health technology, stated that three of the illegal training facilities were shut down in April.
According to him: “One or two of these institutions claimed it had an affiliation with some foreign universities training medical practitioners, we normally do not have an affiliation arrangement. You either train in a recognised university in Nigeria or go abroad to do so.”
Mr Erhabor, who reminded the inductees that the council will hold them accountable to personal and professional decisions they henceforth make, urged them to contribute their quota to the growth of the profession.
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He assured that the council will continue to do everything possible to make the transition to the profession less cumbersome
Vice Chancellor, University of Ibadan, Professor Abel Olayinka, who spoke through the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic partnership), Professor Olanike Adeyemo, stated that as the University’s pioneer medical laboratory scientists, they are expected to lay a good foundation and make the University proud wherever they work.
Professor Olayinka, saying in the health sector, no profession superior to the other, said she is worried about the quality of medical laboratory tests and urged them to take their responsibility seriously.
He declared: “You have to take heed to be responsible, you have to take heed that you are dealing with human life, behind every sample is a child, a parent, a wife, a husband and if you have that the back of your mind, it will guide how you do things.”
Earlier, Provost, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Professor Olubunmi Olapade-Olaopa, speaking through the deputy Provost, Professor Obafunke Denloye said that the inductees had been provided with the opportunity to be equipped to be relevant and market-worthy for their entire career.
He said the volume of a laboratory test is increasing with both population and the development of new types of tests, urged them to ensure accuracy and precision in the discharge of their duties.