By Angela Onwuzoo
The Association of Female Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Lagos State chapter, says no fewer than 300 medical laboratory scientists trained in Nigeria have moved to the United Kingdom within six months.
The association disclosed this during its second Scientific Conference themed, ‘The profile, perceptions and expectations of the female medical laboratory professionals in nation building’.
The chairman of the conference planning committee, Mrs Doris Mark, who is also the chairman of AMLSN Oshodi-Isolo chapter, said, “A lot of medical laboratory scientists, technicians, assistants and doctors are moving out of the country because of the situation of the country. This is actually affecting the practice here in Nigeria. We have had more than 300 medical laboratory scientists that have travelled out of the country to the United Kingdom just in Lagos alone within the space of six months.
“A lot also have plans to travel out. They are from both public and private practice. They are moving out of the country because they want to go to a place where they will be well-paid and be given grants and opportunities for research.
“We are using the conference to sensitise our colleagues in this profession to the fact that it is important for us to practice here in Nigeria. If we leave our profession here in Nigeria and move outside the country, everybody will not be outside the country while the home suffers.”
The keynote speaker and senior lecturer, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine University of Lagos, Dr Adesola Olalekan said, “It was important for the Federal Government to establish a medical laboratory science department; a full-fledged department in the Federal Ministry of Health that relates directly with the minister. Also, in states, a medical laboratory science department relates directly to the commissioner. We need the support of the government to carry out our operations and we need that leadership role to contribute to national development.”
The chairperson, AFMLSN Lagos chapter, Mrs Faith Itua, urged women to come together to love, support and help each other to thrive in the profession.