The Anambra State Government, through the State Ministry of Health, has inaugurated 17 members of the State Laboratory Technical Working Group (SLTWG) for effective coordination of laboratory systems across the state.
The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike, charged them to work within the terms of reference guiding the group to promote the people’s health.
“In 2017, the National Laboratory Technical Working Group was inaugurated in line with the recommendation of the World Health Organization (WHO) for improved coordination of the Laboratory systems in Nigeria.
“So, for effective coordination, states were encouraged to establish their own SLTWG, and six states, namely, Osun, Imo, Taraba, Kaduna, Niger and Lagos, have since inaugurated the SLTWG.
“You can see that what we have just done is in line with the WHO recommendations and we will ensure that they discharge their duties accordingly.”
During the inauguration in Awka, the Commissioner reiterated the commitment of Gov. Charles Soludo to repositioning the healthcare system in the state.
Dr Obidike said that a medical laboratory or clinical laboratory is where tests are conducted on clinical specimens to obtain information about a patient’s health to aid in diagnosis, treatment, and disease prevention.
Members of the SLTWG are Prince Chris Azor—Chairman; Prof. Nneka Agbakoba—Deputy Chairman, Mr Obienu Egbe—Secretary, Mrs Apolonia Okeke—Coordinator; Dr Abdulnasir Adamu; Dr Innocent Umeakunne, Dr Simeon Onyemaechi, Dr Afam Anaeme, Dr Ugochukwu Chukwulobelu, Dr Chinwe Obioma, and Mr J.C Achor.
Others are Mrs Christy Igwe, Mr Henry Ikegbue, Mrs Edith Nwachukwu, Pharm Chisom Uchem, Pharm Nonso Ndibe and Mrs Perpetual Molokwu.
The Commissioner urged them not to limit their work to only public hospitals but to also extend it to private laboratories in the state.
“We hope there will be a laboratory information management system for integration in all disease areas.”
He stressed the need for certification and recertification of medical laboratory scientists and medical doctors to sanitize the entire health system. (MOI)
