BY AHERHOKE OKIOMA.
The Bayelsa State branch of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has been assured of government’s support to enable it contribute more in building a better health service delivery system in the state.
Giving the assurance at a meeting with the chairman and other executives of the association in his office, the Deputy Governor, Senator Lawrence Ewhrudjakpo, underscored the role of medical laboratory scientists in the proper diagnosis of ailments in both public and private health facilities.
The Deputy Governor maintained that diagnosis was key to successful medical practice, hence its practitioners and their Association should be accorded a pride of place in the health sector of the country
According to him, medical laboratory science was indispensable in the health care system, stressing that anything done without diagnosis was tantamount to walking with both eyes closed.
In recognition of this, he said government would always give the necessary support to the medical laboratory association with a view to improving the quality of healthcare delivery in the state.
Senator Ewhrudjakpo, who congratulated the state chairman and other officers of the Association on their successful election and inauguration last year, charged them to do better than their predecessors in office in order to write their names in gold.
While wishing them a successful tenure in office, the Bayelsa number two man encouraged them to work towards achieving best standards in the medical laboratory profession as well as improved service delivery in the health sector
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His words: “I have always said each time I have opportunity to interact with your association at any point and level, that the issue, is that, the man who does not have value for his eyes and therefore decides to close them and walk will definitely hit a brick wall or stumble and fall.
“Unfortunately that has been the practice in Nigeria. . .You are very important because nobody can do any reasonable thing in medicine without proper diagnosis. Doing anything without diagnosis is actually walking with your eyes closed.
“The essence, relevance and indispensability of medical laboratory science and practice cannot be overemphasized. I speak like this not because I have my sentiment or emotions attached to the Association but because it is the truth.
“The medical laboratory scientist is like the skin to a man. It is only when you have carried out your diagnosis that they (doctors) will actually know what is wrong with a patient and then administer the appropriate treatment.
“As a government, we recognize your role. And so, I can assure you that we will do what we can to support you and enable you to occupy your legitimate place in the scheme of things,” he said.
Speaking earlier, the State Chairman of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Mrs. Seleipre Hannah Richard-Sele, thanked the Deputy Governor for his undying love and passion to promote the growth of the Association in particular and the entire health sector of the state.
Mrs. Richard-Sele said the meeting was basically to introduce the new state executive officers of the AMLSN to the Deputy Governor as well as intimate him on some of the Association programmes.
She equally appreciated Senator Ewhrudjakpo for making the state Exco of AMLSN proud by attending the Association’s national conference in Abuja.
