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Dr Olayemi Dawodu, Managing Director, Cerba-Lancet Laboratories Nigeria, an anatomic pathologist, has expressed concern over the widespread practice of Nigerians treating illnesses without first undergoing diagnostic tests.
In this interview with Daily Sun, she discusses the importance of preventive health checks, the dangers of self-medication, antimicrobial resistance, and the critical role of accurate diagnosis in improving health outcomes.
Many Nigerians only seek medical care when they become seriously ill. How can diagnostic testing encourage a culture of preventive healthcare?
Diagnostic testing is at the heart of preventive healthcare because it allows diseases to be detected before complications develop. Laboratories do much more than conduct tests; they generate data that reveal disease trends and help shape health policies.
Nigeria has witnessed a major shift from infectious diseases to non-communicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes and cancer. That evidence comes from laboratory data, which also guides government planning, including the expansion of cancer centres across the country.
Laboratories are equally important in disease surveillance. During outbreaks such as Ebola, Lassa fever and COVID-19, diagnostic testing identified hotspots and provided the evidence that guided government decisions.
Routine health checks enable people to know their health status early, manage chronic conditions effectively and prevent avoidable complications.
Despite this, self-medication remains widespread. What are the dangers of taking medication without first undergoing laboratory tests?
This practice contributes significantly to antimicrobial resistance, one of the biggest public health threats globally.
When people take antibiotics without laboratory confirmation of the infection or knowing which drugs are effective, microorganisms develop resistance. Those resistant organisms spread within communities, making infections increasingly difficult to treat.
The same applies to malaria. Laboratory confirmation before treatment is essential to prevent resistance to antimalarial medicines.
Health education must therefore begin at the grassroots, using local languages and community leaders to help people understand why testing should come before treatment.
Many people fear going for medical tests because they are afraid of what the results may reveal. How can this be addressed?
Fear remains one of the biggest barriers to preventive healthcare. Many Nigerians would rather not know their health status until symptoms become severe.
Changing that mindset requires sustained public education and community engagement. People need to understand that early diagnosis offers the best chance of successful treatment, while delaying tests often leads to more complicated and expensive healthcare.
Can you emphasise the importance of accurate testing results?
Accurate testing is the foundation of quality healthcare. It is the basis for effective diagnosis, treatment, and disease management. At Cerba Lancet Nigeria, we consistently deliver reliable results through rigorous laboratory processes, highly skilled personnel, advanced technology, and a robust quality management system.
Our commitment to quality is independently validated through internationally recognised accreditations and regulatory audits by South African National Accreditation System (SANAS) in Nigeria, the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), and National Nigeria National Accreditation System (NiNAS). We have maintained our International Organization for Standardization (ISO) accreditation for more than 10 years, reflecting our commitment to global best practices in laboratory medicine.
How do accurate test results improve patient care and strengthen Nigeria’s healthcare system?
Accurate test results enable early detection of diseases, allowing individuals to take preventive action and make informed lifestyle changes before conditions worsen. For patients living with non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol, they help clinicians prescribe appropriate treatment, monitor progress, and prevent complications.
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Beyond individual care, accurate diagnostics reduce the burden of advanced disease, improve health outcomes, and contribute to a more efficient healthcare system. Our results are also reproducible to international standards, with patients who repeat tests in countries such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada often receiving the same values. This consistency reinforces confidence in our services and demonstrates that our testing meets globally accepted standards. Ultimately, accurate diagnostics equip clinicians with the information they need to make informed treatment decisions, improve patient outcomes, and support efforts to address both communicable and non-communicable diseases in Nigeria.
What should government do to improve laboratory services?
Nigeria already has policies governing laboratory practice, but enforcement needs to be strengthened. Government should ensure stricter regulation of laboratories and insist on robust quality management systems so that only facilities capable of delivering accurate and reliable results operate within the healthcare system.
Quality diagnostics should be recognised as a critical part of healthcare, not an optional service.
What role does public awareness play?
Public awareness is essential.
Healthcare providers must continue educating Nigerians through community outreach, schools, professional education programmes and digital platforms about the importance of routine health checks and early diagnosis.
Preventive healthcare succeeds only when people understand that testing is not something to do only when they are seriously ill.
How does accurate diagnosis improve treatment outcomes and reduce healthcare costs?
Early and accurate diagnosis leads to appropriate treatment from the beginning. That reduces unnecessary medication, prevents complications and lowers the cost of managing advanced disease.
For conditions such as cancer, diabetes and hypertension, early detection significantly improves outcomes and reduces the financial burden on patients and the healthcare system.
How do you define success beyond awards and recognition?
Success is measured by impact.
It means helping more Nigerians detect diseases early, preventing complications from non-communicable diseases, improving workplace health through routine screening and providing reliable health data that supports national healthcare planning.
Ultimately, success is reflected in healthier lives and better health outcomes for Nigerians.
Finally, congratulations on winning the Nigeria Healthcare Excellence Award (NHEA) award for the fifth time. That is a remarkable milestone. What does this recognition personally mean to you?
This recognition validates the work we do at Cerba-Lancet every day. It reflects the core values that define us innovation, quality assurance and a patient-centred approach to healthcare.
Personally, it is gratifying to know that our efforts are being recognised, not only within the diagnostic sector but across the wider healthcare industry. At the same time, the award comes with a greater sense of responsibility to continue improving and to uphold the trust that patients and healthcare providers have placed in us.
More importantly, this achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of every member of the Cerba-Lancet team. Every day, they strive to deliver accurate, reliable and high-quality diagnostic results that support appropriate clinical decisions and ultimately improve the health and lives of the Nigerians we serve.
