Health
DICKSON Adegoke, a Medical Laboratory Scientist, has called on Federal Government to engage the right human resources for effective healthcare in Nigeria.
Adegoke, who is also a Director with Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), made the call
on Thursday in Abuja at the third National Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (YMLSF)
with the theme “Achieving Effective Medical Laboratory Diagnosis and Management through Health System Strengthening Approach.”
Adegoke said the right human resources would also help in strengthening all approaches required for effective laboratory diagnoses and management.
Represented by Mr Chime Chris, the Head, Molecular Department, Institute of Human Virology of Nigeria (IHVN), Adegoke said
core healthcare professionals perform chemical, heamatological, immunological, histopatological, cytopathological, virological, bacteriological and parasitological analyses.
He added that their purposes was diagnosing, screening, monitoring, surveillance and research.
“The professionals use body fluids such as blood, urine, sputum, stool, cerebrospinal fluids and other specimens for analysis.
“Having the right people in the right places at the right time is necessary for maximum benefit
within the health sector. Everyone needs to know the scope of their roles, have the education and experience to carry out the
job.”
The lab scientist also said that functioning laboratory equipment were critical components for strengthening the healthcare system in Nigeria.
He stated that the laboratory was an entry point to improved healthcare, especially targeted diseases such as
prevention, care and treatment of TB, HIV/AIDS.
According to him, strong country leadership and commitment are also also needed to assure development and sustained implementation
of policies and strategies for standardisation of equipment, and regulation of procurement, donation, disposal, and replacement.
The NCDC director explained that the role of lab scientists in decision making processes would improve the care of patients and avoid waste.
He, however, added that leadership and governance in building a healthcare system involved ensuring that strategic policy frameworks
exist and combined with effective oversight, coalition-building, regulation, attention to system design and accountability.
He said there was need for greater accountability arising from both increased funding and growing demand to demonstrate results.
“Accountability is therefore an intrinsic aspect of governance that concerns the management of relationships between various stakeholders in health, including individuals, households, communities, firms, governments, nongovernmental organizations, private firms and other entities that have the responsibility to finance, monitor, deliver and use health services.
He urged medical laboratory scientists to get involved in budgetary processes and procedures in public hospitals to
ensure availability of adequate data for medical research purposes.
The News Agency of Nigeria( NAN) reports that the forum advocated the need to harness the potential of young graduates and
channelling such potential to sustainable healthcare delivery in the country.
BE
– Aug. 01, 2019 17:10 GMT
Tags: Engage right human resources for effective healthcare Lab Specialist urges FG
