ABUJA (Health Ministry’ Report)- The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) is collaborating with Oneworld Accuracy on the roll out of external quality assurance (EQA) Programme to enhance the quality of laboratory test results in the country.
This was made known by Erhabor Tosan, Acting Registrar/Chief Executive Officer of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), when he led a 6-man delegation to a courtesy visit to the Minister of State for Health, Dr.Osagie Ehanire in his office recently.
He explained that the MLSN is the statutory regulatory body charged with the responsibility of regulating the practice of the profession of Medical Laboratory Science in both the private and public health sector in Nigeria, stressing that the MLSCN is also charged with the accreditation of Medical Laboratories.
He noted that the execution of a robust and sustainable External Quality Assurance programme to ensure the delivery of quality Medical Laboratory Services is captured in (MLSCN) five-year strategic plan (2014-2018).
“The Oneworld Accuracy, which MLSCN is collaborating with, is an internationally acclaimed External Quality Assurance (EQA) provider with office in Vancouver, Canada. Currently the company operates in twenty three African countries with an excellent track record of performance,” Tosan added.
He said that the collaboration between MSLCN and Oneworld Accuracy has led to increased panel menu from hitherto 6 panels to 250, noting that Nigeria has started producing these panels which include HIV-serology dry tube samples, pregnancy test kit, malaria rapid test kit, malaria slides as well as TB slides which Oneworld Accuracy has agreed to add in their test menu thereby encouraging local production and capacity.
Tosan however called on the Hon. Minister to direct the Chief Medical Directors (CMDs) and Medical Directors (MDs) of Teaching Hospitals and Medical Centres respectively to key into this scheme to ensure the generation of reliable, accurate and cost-effective laboratory test results.
Responding, the Minister of State for Health, Dr.Osagie Ehanire assured that the present administration is not leaving any stone unturned to making sure that quality, accessible and affordable healthcare is provided to the citizenry, stressing that the initiative by MLSCN is a right step in the right direction.
In his words: ‘’We in the health sector are not relenting in our efforts to build the health system, laboratory services is pertinent to what we are doing, so any initiative to improve the system is welcome’’.
He noted that this initiative on quality assurance will make the whole system better, adding that creating quality and accuracy in diagnosis will go along way to improving patient care and curb healthcare spending.
