Odionyenma explains role of medical laboratory service in Nigeria

…As professionals mark World Biomedical Laboratory Science Day

Uche Odionyenma, president of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria has said that the International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day is observed annually on April 15th to honour and raise awareness about the vital contributions of biomedical laboratory scientists in healthcare systems worldwide.

Odionyenma said that the purpose of Biomedical Laboratory Science Day was to increase awareness of the role that biomedical laboratory scientists play in diagnosis, quality development and assurance, treatment, research, and development in the modern medical sciences.

With the theme, ‘Biomedical Laboratory Scientists Promoting Sustainability in Clinical Diagnostics,’ he laid emphasis on the profession’s dedication to environmentally responsible practices in healthcare.

Odionyenma stated that the theme “reflects the ongoing efforts of BLS professionals worldwide to implement sustainable practices that improve diagnostics and reduce waste, making a profound impact on global health and the environment.

“It equally celebrates the pivotal role of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists in the early detection and accurate diagnosis of diseases, monitoring of treatment, disease surveillance and prevention.”

He restated that the medical laboratory science was a distinct profession which is endowed with the mandate of applying the methods of scientific, observation and interpretation for diagnostic and therapeutic accuracy by the medical practitioner.

According to him, “A licensed medical laboratory scientist who has generated and prepared a laboratory report or supervised its generation will be liable for the accuracy of its content under the law. Modern health care practice is a multi-disciplinary endeavour, involving many professions and professionals. It has gone beyond the scope, training and competence of any single profession.

According to him, “Medical laboratory services provide over 70percent of the needed empirical data. It is therefore a vital and major component of preventive, curative and promotive health care services.”

To deliver on the goal in promoting sustainability in clinical diagnostics, he advised that members must ensure that they “put in place sustainable testing, sustainable procurement, apply efficiency in the utilisation of resources, engage adequate number of qualified laboratory personnel, have secure quality management systems and governance of decisions.

He further noted the need to provide test results and interpretation to inform the diagnosis and subsequent treatment, focusing on improving patient outcomes using new technologies, such as personalised medicine by contributing their professional expertise.