The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Dr. Abbas Tajudeen, has handed over a well-equipped National External Quality Assessment Laboratory worth 400 thousand US Dollars to the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria.
Funded by a development partner, the Global Fund, the laboratory is furnished with up-to-date equipment and is located at the National Institute of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, Saye, Zaria, Kaduna State.
Represented by the Chairman of Zaria Local Government, Jamilu Ahmad, the Speaker also lauded the Global Fund for its contribution to strengthening Nigeria’s laboratory systems and diagnostic capacity for effective responses to HIV, tuberculosis, and malaria.
He appealed for proper maintenance of the facility to ensure its objectives are achieved.
Dr Abbas Tajudden, said the call become necessary considering the fact that many facilities procured and installed at great cost, failed because they were managed by the unqualified and unskilled personnel, who owe their employments to some form of favouritism.
The Speaker further confirmed that Nigeria has made tremendous progress in combatting the HIV/AIDS epidemic as a result of the vigorous efforts of NACA in coordinating the multi-sectoral response to the epidemic, mobilizing resources and implementing programmes for the prevention, treatment and support of people affected by the disease.
In his remark, Acting Registrar Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria Dr Donald Ibe Ofili, said the strategic investment targeted at strengthening sustainability and reducing the cost of External Quality Assessment panels, underscores the value of international partnership in building resilient and self-reliant health systems.
Dr Donald Ofili, maintained that beyond national impact, the facility will position Nigeria as a leader in Laboratory Quality Assurance within the West African sub-region and serve as a regional hub for External Quality Assessment, contribute meaningfully to regional health security and excellence in diagnostics.
The Acting Registrar however, commended the Saye community in Zaria local government for their support and cooperation to the centre stressing that the facility is a national asset that require collective effort it’s protection and sustainability.
In a message, the Executive Secretary National Agency for the Control of Aids NACA Dr Temitope Ilorin, said the formal commissioning and handing over of the Laboratory was part of the mission of the coordinating Minister of Health in strengthening the nation’s healthcare system.
He assured that upgrading the facility to modern standard will reduce costs and address the habit of embarking on foreign trip by many Nigerians seeking for services that are available in the country and advised the Hospital management to intensity in creating awareness about the importance of the centre for the benefit of the citizens.
COV/TSIBIRI
