Follow Us on Google
From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
Medical Laboratory Scientists in Abia State have been urged to key into the reforms of Governor Alex Otti’s administration particularly in the health sector for better services to the people.
The permanent secretary, Abia State Ministry of Industries and SMEs, Dr. Okey Ihemanma made the plea while speaking during the inauguration of the executive of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), in Aba.
Dr, Ihemanma who is also a medical laboratory scientist, advised the AMLSN members to always be careful while handling specimens of patients.
He commended the laboratory scientists for the good work they have been rendering to humanity.
The Director, Medical Laboratory Services, Ministry of Health, Abia State, Dr (Mrs) Veronica Uruakpa, urged the members of AMLSN to work hard to improve the profession.
“We handle specimens, and specimen is life, therefore we should carry our work in a way the profession will be the envy of other professions.”
In his speech, the Chairman of AMLSN, Abia State branch, Dr. Ahiara Onyeakolam, decried the high level of quackery in the profession in the state.
Dr. Onyeakolam said the alarming rate of quackery in the state was discouraging people from patronising qualified laboratory scientists.
“Quackery is threatening the profession in the state, unqualified medical laboratory scientists have infiltrated the field, not only bastardising the profession, but also putting the lives of people in danger.”
He promised that his association was going to tackle the problem head on to save the profession and the lives of people.
Dr. Ahiara called on all members to be united in this fight, stressing that in togetherness and one spirit, they would conquer and build a happy association.
He commended the medical laboratory technicians, describing their roles as important in the profession and urged them to always respond positively when they are needed.
Others who spoke at the event, including Prof Emmanuel Nwankwo, Dr. Chima Ogbonnaya and Chief Innocent Ojike, all expressed joy at the unity of purpose in the Abia branch of association unlike what obtains at the national level.
They were optimistic that the association would continue to grow in Abia and pledged their unending support.
Highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to some deserving members including Dr. Ahiara and Chief Ojike (whose wife is also a medical laboratory scientist, who was given a bond of unity award).
