The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) has been conferred with the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) re-accreditation certification for its National External Quality Assessment Laboratory (NEQAL).
In addition to the re-accreditation of NEQAL, 8 laboratory facilities also got accreditation from MLSCN in-country to produce internationally acceptable results.
The Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Dr Iziaq Adekunle Salako while delivering his speech at the MLSCN’s formal receipt and presentation of certificates of Accreditation to deserving medical laboratories, congratulated the MLSCN and the accredited laboratories on this outstanding achievement.
He stressed the importance of accurate and reliable laboratory diagnostics in modern medicine, highlighting their role in early disease detection, treatment decisions, and improved patient outcomes.
The Minister also commended the management and staff of the MLSCN for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.
He urged other laboratories in the country to emulate the accredited facilities by improving their infrastructure, manpower, and processes.
Salako reiterated his priority agenda to confront quackery in the health sector, emphasizing the essential role of regulatory bodies like the MLSCN.
He pledged his support to ensure that all public and private laboratories in Nigeria enrol with the MLSCN Accreditation Service and NEQAL program.
“The event was a testament to the Nigerian government’s commitment to prioritising healthcare.
“President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has reinstated budgetary funding for all health regulatory bodies, demonstrating the special position the health sector occupies in the national agenda,” he said.
Also, the Registrar/CEO of MLSCN, Dr. Tosan Erhabor, raised concerns that despite the evident benefits of EQA/PT, participation of public and private laboratories remains poor and inconsistent.
This inconsistency, Erhabor said undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s diagnostics system and exposes Nigeria’s healthcare system to vulnerability.
He, therefore, called on the Minister of State to make a decisive government pronouncement mandating the participation of all government and private hospitals, and private laboratories, to key into the MLSCN accreditation service and MLSCN External Quality Assurance Proficiency Test EQA/PT Scheme.
This, he noted the policy would ensure that every laboratory in Nigeria would adhere to the rigorous standards.
“Fostering a culture of accountability and consistency in diagnostics services, which will be a game changer guaranteeing every Nigerian irrespective of location receives the same high standard of diagnostics accuracy.” He said.
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