Association Seeks Reconstitution of Health Regulatory Boards

By Toba Ajisafe

 

Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, AMLSN has urged Federal Government to consider immediate reconstitution of Governing Boards of Health Regulatory Bodies in Nigeria.

 

This call was made by the association’s National President, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem at a briefing with journalists shortly after the conclusion of the special general meeting of AMLSN.

 

He lamented the association neglect in the scheme of health activities by federal government, describing government action as impediment to the growth of the association.

 

He said, “We are shocked to note that each time the Minister talks of Rapid Response Initiatives in health sector, the laboratory service was always given the little or no attention. This is against the 21st century health care services which place emphasis on evidence based healthcare practices.

 

“Absence of regulatory bodies like Medical and Laboratory Scientists Council of Nigeria, Pharmaceutical Council of Nigeria, Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria, amongst others, has led to total halt in the regulatory activities in the health sector.

 

He therefore implored federal and state government to create department of Medical Laboratory Science in the Ministry of Health and Teaching Hospitals in line with the Nigerian National Laboratory Policy of 2007.

 

He demanded Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac Adewole to fast track the process of reconstituting the Governing Boards of Health Regulatory bodies by getting Presidential approval for the regulatory bodies not included in those Boards inaugurated on 28th, April 2017.

 

He said, “Practitioners could not be left to be practising without checks. We demanded for immediate reconstitution of the bodies to prevent avoidable calamities lack of regulations could cause the country.

 

He also demanded that court judgment for professional autonomy of FMC, ASABA VS AMLSN of 2013, JUTH MGT VS AMLNS of 2014, OAUTH VS AMSLN should be comply with.

 

Raheem also admonished his association to support JOHESU nationwide strike.

 

He said, “It is not in our character to called our members to join strike but I think this is the only option government understands”.

 

He expressed AMLSN concern over the re-emergence of cases of Yellow Fever in the country. Raheem called for continuous medical surveillance in order to track diseases of public health importance and serious potential assessment of various vaccines targeted at preventing communicable diseases.