Dr Dakuku Peterside, the former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), has highlighted the pivotal role of medical laboratory science in combating infectious diseases in Nigeria. Speaking at the 18th Annual Lecture and National Executive Council Meeting of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Peterside underscored the essential functions of medical laboratory scientists in the detection, diagnosis, and response to various diseases.
Peterside emphasised that these professionals are critical in addressing both emerging infectious diseases like COVID-19 and long-standing health issues such as tuberculosis and malaria. He also pointed out their role in tackling the rising problem of antimicrobial resistance.
In his opening speech as chairman of the event, Peterside stated, “The challenge of intractable diseases requires the concerted action of professionals to find new ways to work together more effectively in pursuit of our determination to solve humanity’s most significant health challenge. We must reflect on whether we invest enough in research, education, and laboratory investigations to find the root causes and possible solutions to these rare health occurrences.”
The theme of the lecture, ‘Mitigating intractable disease outbreaks through strengthened medical laboratory services,’ set the tone for discussions aimed at improving Nigeria’s healthcare infrastructure. Peterside expressed optimism that the meeting’s outcomes would significantly contribute to mitigating disease outbreaks.
He also praised the efforts of Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Nwifuru, who served as the guest lecturer and Special Guest of Honour. Peterside commended Nwifuru for his early achievements and ambitious initiatives in healthcare and infrastructure development.
The AMLSN, the professional body for registered medical laboratory scientists in Nigeria, strives to advance global best practices in medical laboratory science and enhance national health services. This event reaffirmed the association’s commitment to addressing critical health challenges through improved diagnostic services and professional collaboration.
