By Chioma Obinna
MEDICAL laboratory scientists who run foul of  the codes and ethics of the profession are to face stiff sanctions  from the  Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).

This warning which was handed down  to registered and unregistered practitioners alike came on the heels of the induction of more than 430 graduands into the profession last week in Lagos.

Former Vice Chancellor University of Ekpoma and Chairman, Board of Medical Laboratory Science of Nigeria (MLSCN) Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor, the Registrar, MLSCN, Lady Elizabeth Okonkwo, Guest Lecturer, an Elder in Medical Laboratory Profession, Elder Sam. Olanisebe delivering his lecture entitled, “Professional Ethics in Medical Laboratory Practice” during the induction of new graduands last week in Lagos. Pix By Chioma Obinna

Speaking during the event at the Nigerian Institute of Medical Research (NIMR) Yaba, Lagos, Registrar of the Council, Lady Elizabeth Okonkwo said no level of quackery would be condoned as only principles of best practices were acceptable to the  Council.

Okonkwo who spoke extensively on the delicate nature of the profession warned that  on no account should laboratory scientists base base their biomedical analyses on assumption.

“When you do not have a reliable result, you may not be able to handle it, please, there is nothing like I can manage it in this profession. Quackery is not allowed by the Council and even a professional can become a quack when he or she does not carry out  analyses according to the ethics of the profession.

“We are going round the country to assess the facilities periodically to ensure  they are maintaining standards. We do not want standards to go down. There are  inspectors in every State of the Federation. Right now our monitoring team is in Adamawa and Benue States and this has to continue.”

Presenting the  graduands, she said  Council is seriously looking into how many years experience a professional ought tohave before opening a laboratory.

In a lecture entitled “Professional Ethics in Medical Laboratory Practice”, Elder Sam Olanisebe observed: “Professionals should seek to safeguard patients and others, particularly in relation to health and safety.

Treat with discretion all confidential and other information requiring protection and avoid disclosing to any unauthorised person the result of any investigation or other information of a personal or confidential nature gained in the practice of their profession including laboratory document.

Chairman of the occasion, Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor who reminded the inductees of the do’s and don’ts  of the profession said erring practitioners would  be sanctioned. He warned that ignorance of the law would not be an excuse.