In commemoration of World Malaria Day 2025, the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (YMLSF), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Branch, organized a free medical outreach to raise awareness on malaria prevention and improve access to diagnostic and treatment services. The outreach was held on Saturday, April 26, at Gwagwalada Park, Area 1, Abuja, and catered to underserved communities and individuals living in vulnerable conditions.
The event aligned with this year’s global theme, “Malaria Ends With Us: Reinvest, Reimagine, Reignite” and featured free malaria rapid diagnostic testing, distribution of antimalarial medications to confirmed cases, community health education sessions, and sensitization campaigns. Residents and passersby benefited from the outreach, which aimed to promote early detection, timely treatment, and behavioral change.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum, FCT Branch, Stephanie Omoarebun, emphasized the indispensable role of Medical Laboratory Scientists in the fight against malaria and other public health challenges. She stressed that accurate diagnosis is foundational to effective disease management and that laboratory professionals remain central to achieving better health outcomes.
“The outreach was not just a medical intervention; it was a bold call to action,” Omoarebun stated. “It reminded us that young professionals must look beyond the walls of the laboratory and take proactive steps to serve the communities most in need. As scientists and public health advocates, we have a responsibility to ensure that accurate testing is accessible, timely, and impactful.”
“This outreach reflects our commitment not only to clinical excellence but to community health and social responsibility. We are showing that young medical laboratory scientists are ready and willing to lead meaningful change at the grassroots level,” she added.
She also used the occasion to call on the government and relevant stakeholders to increase support for young professionals in the laboratory science field. “With more support through funding, training, equipment, and strategic partnerships, young medical laboratory scientists can do even more to drive innovation, expand access to diagnostics, and strengthen Nigeria’s health system.”
The event saw the active participation of young scientists, experienced professionals, and volunteers who conducted testing, provided counseling, and led health education sessions. It also highlighted the need for sustained health interventions for vulnerable groups, including individuals without stable housing who face increased risk of mosquito exposure and poor health outcomes.
Participants praised the outreach as a timely and necessary intervention, especially in light of the rising costs of healthcare and the burden of malaria on low-income populations. Many expressed the hope that similar initiatives would be replicated across the FCT and beyond.
The outreach also served to spotlight the broader contributions of Medical Laboratory Scientists to public health, disease surveillance, and outbreak response. It reinforced the need to include laboratory professionals in policy discussions, health planning, and strategic implementation.
The Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum, FCT Branch, is a vibrant professional body committed to the advancement of laboratory science, leadership development, professional excellence, and community service. Through initiatives like this, the Forum continues to amplify the contributions of young scientists to public health and national development.
As Nigeria continues to battle one of the world’s highest malaria burdens, such youth-led, community-based initiatives underscore the power of local action in advancing global health goals.