Association Decries Incessant Abduction Of Healthcare Providers

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has expressed concern over incessant abduction of its members while rendering essential healthcare services across different parts of the country.

National president of AMLSN, Dr Casmir Ifeanyi, expressed the concern at a press briefing during the 19th Annual Public Lecture and National Executive Council meeting held in Enugu.

He stated that some members of the association were kidnapped in Ondo State and other parts of the country, adding that they have suffered a lot from kidnappers.

He noted that as Medical Laboratory Scientists, they remained deeply concerned about the security challenges facing the nation.

The AMLSN president urged President Bola Tinubu not to relent until every Nigerian can safely live, work, travel and serve without fear.

“We acknowledge the efforts of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, and the security agencies in addressing these challenges.

“However, we respectfully urge Mr President, as Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, not to relent until every Nigerian can safely live, work, travel, and serve without fear,” he stated.

He pointed out that national development, healthcare delivery, education and economic prosperity can only thrive in an atmosphere of peace and security.

The AMLSN president assured Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria and the Diaspora that the future of their profession is brighter than ever.

“The world is increasingly recognising the indispensable role of Medical Laboratory Scientists in healthcare delivery, disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, biotechnology, precision medicine, artificial intelligence and public health security,” he added.

He appreciated the Federal Government and all stakeholders for the substantive

appointment of Dr Donald Ibeh Ofili as the registrar/CEO of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), and the passage by the National Assembly of the Bill establishing the Federal University of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos, following Senate concurrence.

He averred that the historic legislation marks a defining milestone in the advancement of Medical Laboratory Science education, research, innovation, and healthcare development in Nigeria, reflecting decades of dedicated advocacy and visionary leadership of Prof Nkereuwem Etukudoh as the provost/CEO of the college.

He appealed to President Tinubu to “graciously assent to this landmark legislation and further cement his administration’s legacy in healthcare education and professional development.

“While celebrating these important milestones, AMLSN draws attention to a matter of grave concern: the prolonged delay in reconstituting the Governing Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria and other health regulatory boards, councils, and governing bodies of Federal Tertiary Health Institutions.

“The consequences of this delay are profound and far-reaching. It has weakened regulatory oversight, slowed policy implementation, delayed critical institutional decisions, disrupted training accreditation and professional certification processes, hindered workforce development, and reduced accountability across the health sector. More importantly, it poses risks to patient safety, healthcare quality, professional standards, and efficient service delivery.

“We therefore respectfully urge His Excellency, President Bola Tinubu, to approve the reconstitution of these boards and councils to strengthen healthcare governance, restore effective regulation, support training and certification programmes, and advance national health development.

“AMLSN is deeply concerned by the exclusion of Medical Laboratory Science training programmes from the Special Intervention for Health Professions (SHIP) initiative of the Federal Ministry of Education and Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund).

“This omission is unjustified and contrary to the goal of strengthening health professions education in Nigeria. Medical Laboratory Scientists indispensable to modern healthcare, with over 70 per cent of clinical decisions based on medical laboratory results and data. Excluding the medical laboratory science from a major health education intervention undermines efforts to improve patient care, disease surveillance, workforce development, and public health preparedness.

“AMLSN therefore calls on the Federal Ministry of Education and The Executive Secretary TETFund, Arc Sonny Echono, who leads the federal intervention agency supporting public higher education in Nigeria to urgently review this decision and ensure the full inclusion of Medical Laboratory Science programmes in the SHIP initiative.”