Akwa Ibom seals 12 quack medical laboratories
No fewer than 12 unregistered medical laboratories have been shut down in Akwa Ibom State for alleged involvement in certain unprofessional practices.
The latest move according to the State Commissioner for Health, Prof Augustine Umoh was in compliance with the directive of the State Executive Council over substandard services of medical Laboratories operators in the state
In a chat with newsmen in Uyo shortly after the Inspection Team had sealed up some laboratories at the weekend, the Commissioner listed offences of the sealed laboratories to include lack of Certificate of registration with State Ministry of Health, lack of evidence of registration with Medical Laboratory Council of Nigeria, lack of qualified Laboratory Scientists and other support staff in the Laboratories.
Other offences listed include; lack of Test Result Booklet,. lack of Laboratory Register, lack of personal operating license of Laboratory Technicians as well as unethical practices dangerous to medical diagnosis of diseases.
In his words: “I have received a number of complaints with regards to medical laboratory facilities and practice and it is an attempt to correct some of these abnormalities.”
“As a matter of fact, the state Executive Council, having also received many of these reports had directed that the exercise be carried out. So our intention is to use this exercise to give further directives on the practice of laboratory services in the state.”
Prof Umoh disclosed that monitoring of Medical Laboratories will be extended to other parts of the state, to include; Ikot Ekpene, Abak, Eket and Oron axis to check quack Laboratories in the state.
“We are going out on monitoring to make sure that Laboratory facility services in the state are in conformity with what is expected, to the extent that the practices are at least of the best standard.
“We have started with medical Laboratories in Uyo metropolis but we would certainly extend it to all nooks and crannies of the state,” he said.
The Head of the Monitoring /Inspection Team Dr Udoh said lack of precision in medical laboratory test administered to patients has resulted in poor medical diagnosis.
He said such medical diagnosis resulting from defective Laboratory facilities could mislead Medical Doctors in prescribing the right drugs for treatment of various ailments.
Udoh recalled that one of the Laboratories visited was using a student on Industrial Training to work and issue test results instead of Certified Laboratory Scientist while others impersonated popular names of Laboratory Scientist in the state to defraud members of public.
“The clampdown on fake laboratories in the state will continue in the new year till we reposition their services to achieve health for all, which is part of the completion agenda of Governor Udom Emmanuel,” he said.
