The Association Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria has called for a national health research summit of all medical practitioners to proffer solutions to the crisis rocking the health sector.
Suggested at the maiden annual scientific conference organized by the Delta State branch of the association, which held in Asaba, the proposed national summit would afford stakeholders the opportunity to appraise the challenges plaguing the health sector.
Among other issues raised in a communique issued at the end of the conference, AMLSN observed that the emergence of COVID-19 had exposed the need for professionals in the health sector to work as a team to overcome the virus challenge and any other challenge which might be faced in the future
Stakeholders also advocated that for future pandemic preparedness, there was the need for a broad view of Global Health Security that incorporated universal health coverage, NCDs, sustainable development and human rights, to address multiple societal aims.
While noting that preparedness and response to pandemic related to many ethical issues, they proposed a more stable funding commitment and financing mechanism for both efficient emergency response and long-term preparedness.
They commended Governor Ifeanyi Okowa of Delta State for the employment of medical laboratory scientists and other health workers into the state public service, and setting up of PCR in the state’s tertiary health institutions.
AMLSN identified the need to develop a rapid and comprehensive research ecosystem and strengthened mechanisms for evidence-based policy-making that could handle uncertainty.
The association, however, lamented the non-creation of a Directorate of Medical Laboratory Service in the State Ministry of Health, stating that such negatively affected medical laboratory practice in the state.
