Smart diagnostics Nigeria took centre stage as medical laboratory scientists urged the Federal Government to strengthen laboratory systems to improve healthcare and national security.
The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) made the call during its 19th Annual Public Health Lecture and National Executive Council (NEC) Meeting in Enugu. The event, themed “Smart Diagnostics: The Role of Medical Laboratory Scientists in National Security and Universal Health Coverage,” emphasised the importance of investing in smart diagnostics, disease surveillance and laboratory infrastructure. Participants stressed that medical laboratories remain the first line of defence against infectious diseases, antimicrobial resistance, bioterrorism and other emerging public health threats.
Chairman of the occasion and Provost of the Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Professor Nkereuwem Etukudoh, described diagnostics as a strategic national asset rather than a support service. He said, “There can be no health security without diagnostic security, and there can be no national security without laboratory intelligence. Every solution to our healthcare challenges begins in the laboratory. No laboratory results, no treatment; no data, no policy; no diagnosis, no security.” He also praised the National Assembly for passing the bill establishing the Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos, and appealed to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign it into law.
The Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr Donald Ofili, unveiled a reform agenda focused on stronger regulation, transparency, institutional integrity and patient safety. He said, “Regulation is not an obstacle to professional growth; it is the foundation of public confidence. Every reform we pursue must ultimately answer one question: Does it improve patient safety? If the answer is yes, we will pursue it with determination.” He also warned tertiary institutions against unethical accreditation practices and urged professionals to uphold ethical standards and continuous development.
Earlier, AMLSN National President Dr Casmir Ifeanyi said smart diagnostics Nigeria is essential to disease surveillance, outbreak preparedness, genomic intelligence and precision medicine. He stressed that “Universal Health Coverage cannot be achieved without Universal Medical Laboratory Coverage. Before treatment, there must be testing. Before intervention, there must be evidence. Before policy, there must be data.” He called on the Federal Government to develop a National Medical Laboratory Diagnostics Strategy, expand laboratory networks, invest in molecular diagnostics and genomic surveillance, and support local production of diagnostic reagents. He also commended ongoing health sector reforms and expressed hope that the proposed university bill would soon receive presidential assent. The smart diagnostics Nigeria agenda, stakeholders said, is vital to building a stronger healthcare system and improving national preparedness.
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