The Federal Government has reaffirmed its commitment to provide Nigerians with excellent, affordable, and accessible healthcare services.
Mr Joseph Ekumankama, Minister of State for Health, assured the National Laboratory Equipment Calibration Centre (NaLECC) at the presentation of the ISO 17025:2017 certificate.
Ekumankama, who congratulated the institution on its certification by the Kenya Accreditation Services (KENAS), said that Nigeria was a signatory to various global initiatives and was devoted to the health and development of its inhabitants.
He said that the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) changes in the health sector were in accordance with the Federal Government’s attempts to reposition the health system.
“This action will allow the federal government to meet citizens’ desires for quality, affordable, and accessible healthcare.”
“It is truly remarkable that the council has reached such a significant milestone in such a short period of time.”
“I am pleased with the number of activities for quality service delivery, and I appreciate your striving for excellence.”
“The council is always attempting to break new frontiers; however, they do not allow the ministry any breathing space; milestones, of course, can only be achieved through hard work, creativity, and foresight,” Ekumankama remarked.
Furthermore, Dr. Tosan Erhabor, Registrar of MLSCN, said that the council will continue to develop enabling platforms to assist facilities in accessing these services.
He said that the structures, known as the MLSCN Quality Tripods, will promote efficient medical laboratory regulation for quality laboratory care.
He claims that the facilities are the first in West Africa and have received international recognition.
“The National External Quality Assessment Laboratory (NEQAL) in Saye, Zaria, achieved ISO 17043 accreditation as a proficiency testing provider through inter-laboratory comparison and will be re-accredited this year.”
“The second is the Public Health In-vitro Diagnostics Laboratory in Yaba, Lagos, for the regulation of diagnostic reagent production, importation, sales, and stocking.”
“The laboratory equipment is also ISO 17025 accredited and has recently undergone re-accreditation.” This laboratory validates all in-vitro diagnostics made in Nigeria or imported into the country.
“The National Laboratory Equipment Calibration Centre in Abuja is the final stop.” The facility is funded by the United States, the facility for Disease Control in Nigeria, and the Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN),” he stated.
According to him, the facility is designed to calibrate auxiliary equipment and guarantee that the right quantity of samples or analysis are delivered.
He said that the equipment is of the highest quality and that the laboratory has received international certification as a calibration laboratory after meeting the KENAS criteria.
“We have gathered today to present the certificate of accreditation to the minister as well as to commission the NaLECC to full operations as an internationally accredited Centre.”
According to Dr. Mary Boyd, Country Director, US CDC, the US Sub-Saharan Africa plan was launched with the intention of pursuing four goals, one of which is health.
“The strategy outlines a plan to build core capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to infectious diseases globally, including addressing diagnostics and service delivery challenges that would improve health security.”
“This accreditation is the first of its kind in Nigeria and represents a significant step forward in our mission to achieve public health excellence for healthy Nigerians.”
“It will have a positive impact on the region because it will allow international accredited laboratories throughout West Africa to have their equipment calibrated right here in the region,” she added.
