AMLSN flays FG’s alleged adamance to its regulatory roles

The leadership of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has says it is worrisome to note that while other countries are putting in place, structures that will strengthen medical laboratories to enable them effectively combat global health threats, the Federal Ministery of health has not demonstrated sufficient willingness to partner with AMLSCN in the attempt to eliminate quackery and professional malpractices in Nigeria, Our Delta North Correspondent reports.

While the Association recalled several cases in the cause of the right pursued and won at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN, it vowed to uphold the legitimate right on National health act of 2014 which forbids health professionals going on strike in order to demand for their legitimate rights. 

The National President of the AMLSN, Alhaji Toyosi Raheem, who spoke to Journalists in Asaba on Saturday February 27 at the end of 2017 Public Health Lecture,  alleged that management of various hospitals across the 36 States, hide under the fact that the Minister of Health had not given them a circular to effect the court judgments which clearly stated that Medical Laboratory Scientists be separated from the Doctors’ duties as they can only collaborate with the doctors when carrying out their functions, such as tests for patients. 

Alhaji Reheem explained, “those charged with ensuring that the statues of government and laws of the land are obeyed, are the same elements doing everything to frustrate the judgments”, adding that since the judgments of leadership in various hospitals have allegedly been frustrating members of the association from ensuring the fruits of government’s good intentions. 

According to him, “why should a non professional be allowed to head the laboratories. There is a standard at the laboratory and you cannot do anything you like. It has been an aged long practice hence they want the statusquo remains inspite of several court judgments. We believe they are doing that because of ego and nothing more. No profession is a jack of all trade”.

He said that the “carbals have also tried to enthrone the law by disrespecting the pronouncements of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, NICN via the use of “extra powers” and authority of government vested in them to wittingly suppress and ensure that government provision for other health professionals, especially that of medical laboratory scientists. 

“This has become an overarching trend by successive leadership and heads of its health facilities and institutions, the trend has resulted in further fueling the rancor and disharmony in work places that are prevailing currently in most of the health institution in Nigeria” he added. 

Alhaji expressed gratitude to Honourable Justice Esowe at the NICN, Abuja, who delivered the judgment on Friday February 17, 2017, where she expressly directed the CMDs and the DA of Juth-Prof. Edmund Bangwas and Alibitrus respectively to within thirty days, remove all pathologists and all persons not allowed by the LFN cap m25, LFN 2004. 

According to the National President, “the directive to the Hon. Minister of Health compelling him to issue a circular to all CMDs and MDs of tertiary health institutions in Nigeria, is not an impossible task, if the Minister of Health, Prof. Isaac F. Adewole is to demonstrate his concern for the rule of law in Nigeria. 

It will be recalled that a similar circular ref C.5516/I/T³/152 dated 21^st October, 2014 was released at that time. The circular was signed by the then Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Health, Mr. Linus Awute following compliance to a NICN court judgment of 22 July, 2013 on appointment of non-medical doctor as Consultants/payment of specialists allowance by the FMoH. The current leadership of the FMoH should not blackmail President Muhammadu Buhari led FGN by creating an impression that the current government had no respect for the rule of law”

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