The Affiliation of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) on Saturday raised critical considerations over a controversial invoice earlier than the Nationwide Meeting, warning that its passage might destabilise Nigeria’s healthcare system, compromise affected person security, and set off contemporary inter-professional battle within the sector.
The invoice, titled Government Invoice HB:2701, alongside a associated Senate model, seeks to amend key provisions of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria Act, significantly Sections 3 and 29, which outline the governance construction and scope of medical laboratory science observe in Nigeria.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, AMLSN Nationwide President, Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi, described the proposed modification as “a harmful regression disguised as reform,” warning that it’s “misaligned with international greatest practices and inimical to Nigeria’s healthcare supply.”
“This invoice doesn’t symbolize reform; it represents regression. It’s harmful, destabilising, and profoundly misaligned with science and international greatest observe,” Ifeanyi stated.
On the coronary heart of the controversy is the proposed restructuring of the governing board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), the statutory physique liable for regulating laboratory science observe in Nigeria.
Beneath the present legislation, the council maintains skilled dominance in its governance to make sure technical oversight. Nevertheless, the proposed modification would increase board membership to incorporate non-specialists and improve the affect of political appointees.
Ifeanyi warned that such modifications would erode skilled independence and weaken regulatory requirements.
“A regulatory system pushed by politics slightly than experience shouldn’t be reform; it’s institutional sabotage. Management in medical laboratory science can’t be indifferent from scientific competence,” he stated.
He additional criticised the proposed removing of the requirement that the council’s chairman be a Fellow of the career, describing it as a “crucial vulnerability” that would enable non-experts to manage delicate healthcare techniques.
The AMLSN additionally faulted provisions in search of to incorporate the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria on the MLSCN governing board, arguing that they violate established international requirements for impartial skilled regulation.
“Collaboration shouldn’t be co-regulation. What’s being proposed shouldn’t be synergy, however structural overreach {and professional} seize,” Ifeanyi acknowledged.
Globally, well being techniques in international locations resembling the UK, the US, and South Africa keep clear boundaries between skilled regulatory our bodies, with collaboration occurring on the stage of scientific observe slightly than governance.
Onyebuchi Ezigbo
Times Nigeria