AMLSN Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH) Chapter today celebrate the World Biomedical Scientists’ Day (WBSD) 2022 with the theme
“TESTING TIMES, BIOMEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS ROLE IN THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC”
In his welcome address, the Chairman of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) NAUTH Chapter, MLS. Ezenwa Onochie Bruno, stated that the World Biomedical Laboratory Scientists’ Day (WBLSD) was established to celebrate the key role of Biomedical Laboratory personnel in diagnostic and preventive health care systems. That the purpose of this day was to increase the awareness in the public space of the role played by Biomedical Laboratory Scientists in helping people survive the pandemic through quality development and assurance, research and development in modern medical sciences. He also added that, this day, we celebrate ourselves as professionals as it offers us opportunity to reflect on our contribution, what we had learnt and the values we had brought to health care.
According to the Chapter Chairman, he said that the theme for 2022 which is Testing Times, Biomedical Laboratory Scientists’ role in the covid-19 pandemic. That this theme was selected by the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) to address health issues related to the Covid-19 virus which equally supports the United Nations (UN) and WHO sustainable development Goals (SDGs).
He also added that Biomedical Medical Laboratory Scientists’ happened to be the largest groups of health care professionals and that our vital role in medicine and public health cannot be over emphasized. Other activities done to promote the event was the Free Glucose testing for patients being monitored or treated for diabetes.
The LOC Chairman of the event, Lady. Agbasi Anuli (Deputy Director, Medical Laboratory Science) in her opening remark made it clear that Medical Laboratory Science is the bedrock of medical practice and the role of Medical Laboratory Science in containing the COVID-19 pandemic cannot be overemphasized as they are also behind the testing of clinical specimens from infected and any recovered patients. She summarized by admonishing all to be good ambassadors of the profession by being thorough, meticulous and serious in the discharge of our duties in the laboratory as the lives of patients are largely dependent on laboratory results.
Also, the CMD Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital, Nnewi, Dr. Joseph Ogboaja represented by the CMAC, Dr Ezejiofor Ogechukwu; commended the association for organizing the event and said that Medical Laboratory Scientists should know that they are disease detectives, and that their activities in the laboratory and in the management of the COVID-19 virus influence clinical outcomes in patients management and treatment. He also assured the profession of their unalloyed support in making laboratory activities in the hospital seamless and world class.
Finally, it was such a beautiful event which was attended by pomp and circumstance with dignitaries in academia.
The Keynote speaker Prof. Nneka Agbakoba, Professor Johnson Afonne, Mrs. Nkiru Okafor (Deputy Director, Medical Laboratory Science) with sponsorship from AFROGANIKS and AGBL WEST AFRICA.