HOUSE COMMITTEE ON HEALTHCARE SERVICES RALLIES SUPPORT FOR MLSCN

The House of Representatives Committee on Healthcare Services, has called for the strengthening of Medical Laboratories in the country to discourage health tourism, and ensure quality health care for the citizens. This was contained in the remarks made by the Committee’s Chairman, Hon. Amos Magaji Gwamna, during an oversight visit to the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) headquarters in Abuja, today.

While acknowledging the huge responsibilities placed on MLSCN as a regulator, he noted: ‘The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria is critical to universal health coverage and effective healthcare delivery. You’re the first line of action. If you get it right, clinicians would also get it right without guesswork, and laboratory results from Nigeria would be accepted anywhere in the world. Therefore, everyone must play their part in strengthening medical laboratories.”

Furthermore, Hon. Magaji encouraged the management of MLSCN to see the lawmakers as partners in progress willing to support it to overcome challenges in the interest of the populace. “No life should be lost in the country due to wrong medical laboratory test results. We can make it happen if we work together,” he said. While noting that it’s not everyone who travels overseas for medical care does so because they enjoy the expenditure, he blamed the practice on fewer options.  

Earlier in his welcome remarks, the Registrar/CEO, Prof Tosan Erhabor said the Council was doing everything possible to sanitize medical laboratory services, and expressed delight in the visit of the Committee which, he said, demonstrated the lawmakers’ commitment to understanding and addressing the challenges and opportunities within the medical laboratory services sub sector. “Your presence underscores the importance of collaboration between the legislative and regulatory arms of government in ensuring the highest standards of healthcare for all Nigerians,” he said.

Prof Erhabor, however, sought the support and guidance of the Chairman and members of the Committee in funding for its nationwide inspection against quackery, adding that “One of the most significant constraints we face is the inadequacy of resources, particularly for transportation… This constraint severely impedes our ability to discharge our mandate effectively. Nationwide inspections are critical to ensuring that medical laboratory services meet the required standards and for identifying and addressing deficiencies. Without adequate transportation, we’re unable to reach all the facilities and institutions that require our attention, potentially compromising the quality of healthcare services provided to Nigerians.

Corporate Affairs Department

MLSCN

March 24, 2025