MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PRACTICE IN IBADAN: PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE A TALK DELIVERED AT THE UCH 60TH ANNIVERSARY COLLOQUIUM, 2017 DR JOHN OCHEI, PhD, FMLSCN

OUTLINE Introduction Medical Laboratory Science: The Profession: How it all began in Ibadan. The Past: The golden era of Medical Laboratory Science practice in Ibadan The years of struggle. The present: Struggle continues. Future of MLS practice in Ibadan. Conclusion

“A doctor who omits or is not provided with facilities for laboratory investigation will frequently fail to arrive at the correct diagnosis. He will therefore apply the wrong treatment or he will apply the combination of alternative treatments. In the former instance, he will fail to alleviate the suffering of his patients while in the latter; he becomes a mere surveyor of poly-pharmacy” Prof E. A. Elebute Emeritus Professor of Surgery, Former Provost/Medical Director, CMUL, Unilag. Friday, 8 May, 1970

Studies in the US have concluded that 60 – 70% of clinical decisions are based on the data (results) generated in the laboratory. The above two statements come from non Medical Laboratory Science sources. They speak volume about the importance of the MLS in overall health care delivery system. Any misuse or abuse in the utilization of the laboratory in clinical practice is a serious matter.

THE PROFESSION: A HUMBLE BEGINNING The evolution of medical laboratory science in Nigeria began with the establishment of Pathology Department at the General Hospital, Broad street, Lagos in 1921. The British Medical Laboratory Technicians started to train some indigenous technical assistants who were also known as Junior Lab. Technicians.

In Ibadan, the British Lab In Ibadan, the British Lab. Technicians commenced the training of future lab. technicians at the Adeoyo Government Hospital in early 1950s. These trainees spent three years rotating round the four units of Pathology Department in Nigeria and one more year in the UK to obtain the Associate Diploma of the London Institute.

JOURNEY TO PROFESSIONAL STATUS Decree No 56 , 1968: This decree was the basic law establishing the profession of medical Laboratory Technology (Science) in Nigeria. Decree 5, 1978 and Decree 43, 1988: These decrees recognised medical laboratory science as a distinctively regulated profession.

National Assembly Act 11 of 2003 of the Medical laboratory Science Council of Nigeria: This Act repealed all the previous decrees. It established the Council and its Board charged with, among others, the responsibility to regulate the training and determine the minimum qualification of a practitioner of medical laboratory science.

Today, MLS has satisfied the true meaning of a profession. And the practitioners are now recognised as authentic professionals who are not subservient to any other profession. The Council with its Board is an important agency of the Federal Government.

PRACTICE OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE IN IBADAN. THE PAST After the establishment of UCH in 1957, the Laboratory Technologist trainees were moved from Adeoyo Government Hospital to UCH. Before the promulgation of decree 56, 1968, the training of student lab. technologist has been taken over by Nigerian Laboratory Technologists (Scientists).

1964 - 1990 Golden era of MLS practice in Ibadan Effective Hospital administration Labs were well funded Inter professional respect Work ethics at its best Commitment!!

1990 – 2010 Struggling years of MLS practice in Ibadan Structural Adjustment Programme (SAP) was on going then. Exodus of experienced professionals. Poor laboratory management Epileptic electricity supply

Shortage of working tools/materials Poor maintenance of equipment Low workers’ morale Inter and intra professional conflicts/squabbles

MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE PRACTICE IN IBADAN. PRESENT Efforts to reposition the practice of MLS in progress. Practice still not at full potential Many practitioners now PhD holders New diagnostics and technologies now available Still confusion, tension and distrust in the health industry.

FUTURE OF MEDICAL LABORATORY PRACTICE IN IBADAN. For the practitioners, the future looks real good. New frontiers are beckoning Motivation by employers is a must to boost professionalism in the practice of MLS. Greater awareness Council hosted the first MLS Education summit this year to chart the way forward for the professionals.

CONCLUSION In conclusion, the MLS practitioner has always been, is and will continue to be a critical stakeholder in the health care industry. It is myopic and indeed an archaic medicine for any one professional group to think/claim that it alone can manage a patient’s health. The present and future practitioner of MLS must be bold and ambitious to acquire more knowledge and skill. This is to enhance the practice of MLS in the coiuntry.

The MLS practitioner must be confident and bold enough to guide the clinician when the need arises. Confident MLS professional should not just issue test results without an accompanying interpretation note. Health care of 21st century requires system thinking by all professionals in the sector.

The Medical Lab. Scientist must always be aware of his/her important role in providing efficient, high quality, cost effective, diagnostic health care services for man. Thank you.