NHIA: Medical Lab Practitioners Inclusion Will Curtail/Prevent Disease Outbreaks

The inclusion of medical laboratories in the development of the operational guidelines for the National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA) will help in boosting the country’s preparedness in tackling disease outbreaks.

Dr. Elochukwu Adibo, the National President of the Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD), stated this in Abuja, yesterday, at a scientific conference and general meeting of the guild.

According to him, the move will enable members to participate, and get more engaged and empowered, like other private stakeholders and service providers.

Speaking on the theme of the conference, ‘Genomic revolution in healthcare: An untapped goldmine for investors and private sector,’ Adibo said, if properly harnessed, the genomic industry has the capacity to turn around the economic fortune of Nigeria.

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On his part, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Dr. Tosan Erhabor, said the council has developed a vigilance system aimed at curbing unprofessional practices and quackery as well as curtailing indiscriminate establishment of substandard medical laboratories.

Minister of Health, Dr. Osagie Ehanire, who was represented by the Director, Medical Laboratory Services Department of the Ministry of Health, Dr. Kingsley Odoabara, threatened to close down the facilities of medical laboratory practitioners that engage in unethical test results.

“This points to the fact that we need to strengthen regulatory control and oversight of operators within the private sector. We must punish people that are bent on tarnishing the image of this profession to serve as a deterrent to others.

“The guild has a role to play here because those perpetrating this are your members. What government expects from you is expose the bad ones among you. I am sure when you expose them, the council has the capability to take it up.”