Editor
By Fatima Saka
The Honourable Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, has announced the Federal Government’s determination to establish a National Healthcare Facility Regulatory Agency.
He added the Medical Laboratory Science Council (MLSCN) aims to ensure the delivery of comprehensive and meaningful healthcare services to all Nigerians.
Dr. Alausa made this announcement during the inauguration of the Technical Team on National Medical Laboratory Regulation and Inspection Against Quackery, which took place in his office on the 15th of August, 2024.
He emphasized the importance of the Agency in protecting the health and well-being of Nigerians, especially in light of recent shocking revelations about illegal activities, such as illegal kidney harvesting operations in Abuja and other parts of the country. Dr. Alausa stressed the urgent need for strict regulations to address these issues and safeguard citizens.
He further highlighted the government’s commitment to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly in the healthcare sector. Dr. Alausa, along with the Honourable Coordinating Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Professor Muhammad Ali Pate, outlined four key pillars to achieve this agenda: Improving Governance in the Health Sector, Enhancing Health Population Outcomes, Unlocking the Healthcare Value Chain, and Ensuring Health Security for Nigerians.
The Minister emphasized the pragmatic approach of the Ministry of Health in designing feasible policies and providing necessary funding.
He also called for the Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria to allocate budgetary provisions to support the activities of the Technical Team.
Dr. Alausa charged the members of the Technical Team to uphold their responsibilities and ensure the accreditation of accredited laboratories. With the ongoing Global Fund project, Diagnosis Network Optimal (DNO), mapping all laboratories in Nigeria, he stressed the importance of maintaining an accurate database for effective collaboration.
The State Minister urged the Registrar to regulate and accredit all laboratories to ensure quality results. He emphasized the significance of validated and reliable test results for informed healthcare decisions, stating that laboratories without proper equipment should be shut down.
In conclusion, Dr. Alausa expressed confidence in the selected members of the Technical Team and highlighted the crucial role of media representatives in raising awareness among the public. He urged the Team to establish functional inspection protocols and identify sustainable funding sources to fulfill their mandate.
Responding to the Minister’s directives, the Chairman of the Technical Team, Professor Tosan Erhabor, emphasized the need to update current standards for medical laboratory inspection.
He underscored the critical role of accurate and reliable results in medical diagnoses and outlined the Team’s goals, including developing a cost-effective model for National Laboratory Inspections and combating unprofessional practices in laboratories.
Professor Erhabor pledged the Team’s commitment to fulfilling their responsibilities effectively. Among the fifteen members of the Technical Team, three are from the media, tasked with enhancing public awareness and understanding of the Team’s objectives.
