Dr. Donald Ofili, the Acting Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), has urged all medical laboratories to focus on quality by using the council’s accreditation service.
In a statement from Abuja on Thursday, Mrs. Fidelia Ibeh, who leads the council’s Corporate Affairs Unit, said that getting accredited would help Nigerian lab results be accepted internationally.
Dr. Ofili mentioned that this year’s World Accreditation Day, celebrated on June 9, was centered on Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
He said the theme, “Empowering Small and Medium Enterprises,” is important because many medical laboratories in Nigeria are SMEs, and their quality work is essential to public health.
He explained that SMEs are key to a strong economy because they bring new ideas, create jobs, and help grow the country’s income.
Dr. Ofili described accreditation as a smart investment. It improves a lab’s reputation, helps attract more clients, and shows that the lab meets high-quality standards.
He said the international standard ISO 15189:2022 gives medical labs a guide to ensure quality and professionalism, helping them compete with bigger labs.
By meeting this standard, smaller labs can prove they are trustworthy and capable of giving accurate test results.
This can lead to more partnerships and clients, even outside Nigeria, giving these labs more business opportunities.
Having their services accepted in other countries not only helps labs grow but also makes them more competitive and part of larger health systems worldwide.
He added that this international recognition supports trade and connects to the goals of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which aims for one big African market.
Dr. Ofili said that the process of preparing for accreditation also encourages labs to use better technology and methods, which helps improve medical testing and supports innovation.
This effort also matches the plan of the Health Minister, Prof. Mohammed Pate, to improve Nigeria’s healthcare system and ensure more people have access to quality health services.
Dr. Ofili assured that the council is ready to help all medical labs in Nigeria improve quality and get accredited.
He said the council will offer technical help and guidance to labs starting the accreditation process.
Dr. Ofili also mentioned that MLSCN will help train lab workers and make the process of getting accredited easier, in order to promote a strong culture of quality in medical labs.
