Increase allocation to health sector to meet WHO standard, AMLS tells FG

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has told the Federal Government to increase the budgetary allocation to the health sector in keeping with the World Health Organisation (WHO) standard and fund adequately, the medical laboratory services with a view to making tests affordable, reliable and accessible to the masses.

This is as it urged the Federal Government to fully implement the approved scheme of service for medical laboratory personnel at all levels of Government.

It has also been appealed that the Federal Government should as a matter of national urgent importance, ensure adequate funding of the “Basic Health Care Provision Fund” to expand access to healthcare and ensure improved universal health coverage attainment.

Uche Odionyenma, National President of the Association, said in a message made available to BusinessDay.

Among other requests to the Federal Government, he appealed for the full implementation of the National Health Act 2014 for the benefit of all to help reduce the bane and hazards of quackery and proliferation of health training institutions and inadequate regulation of In Vitro Diagnostics (IVDs) to public health.

Meanwhile, AMLSN, through its national president asked for urgent constitution and inauguration of the MLSCN Governing Board.

And to liberalise the headship and restructuring of Federal Ministry of Health with a view to appointing credible, professionally unbiased, experienced health administrators or professionals that would give enabling environment and resources for optimal discharge of quality health care at all levels in Nigeria.

He observed that the controversial executive bills pending at the National Assembly seeking amendment of the enabling laws of the professions allied to medicine, should be withdrawn to allow for harmony in the health sector.

Meanwhile, he commended President Bola Tinubu for his reform agenda particularly in the health sector, but noted that the excruciating pains of Nigerians resulting from the astronomical cost of living cannot be over emphasised.