ISN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020: THE UNSUNG HEROES

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ISN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD 2020: THE UNSUNG HEROES

By

Adekoya Abimbola Julius

 The maiden edition of the ISN Medical Laboratory Scientist of the Year Award was held at the Federal Palace Hotel on Friday 27th November, 2020.

 The Executive Director ISN Products Nigeria Limited, Mr. Felix Ofungwu, opened the ceremony with thanks to the Almighty God and to those who supported the dream.

He particularly appreciated the supports of Federal Ministry of Health, Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors (GMLD), the Initiative for Medical Diagnostic Awareness (IMDA), the panel of Judges, Dr Sandra Achebe, the Head Business Development and Client Services, Ebunoluwa Valerie Fowobaje, Project Coordinator, and Daniel Adewuni, the Project Consultant.  

 ISN Boss further disclosed that the award was instituted as part of the company’s contribution towards encouraging and promoting excellence amongst Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria.

 The Executive director, Mr Ofungwu described Medical Laboratory Scientists as the Unsung Heroes of the Medical practice who play a very key role in health service delivery and are well-deserving of honour and recognition like their other counterparts in the medical sector.

 He promised that his company will keep supporting the profession in many ways especially in the areas of accreditation and implementation of standard practice.

 In his own speech, the Chairman of the Award Committee/Panel of Judges, Prince Elochukwu Adibo said the “choice of this award will definitely go a long way to encourage Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria to dedicate more time and efforts to excellence and conformity to laboratory quality management system (QMS) in line with international standard – ISO 15189:2012 being the basis of which this assessment was predominantly made, knowing that such output will be recognized and rewarded.”

 He congratulated the 10 finalists and the likely winner of the day because they have indeed distinguished themselves among over 30,000 registered Medical Laboratory Scientists in the country and 679 entries received for this year’s competition. According to him the ten finalists were selected post the stage 1 & 2 elimination exercises that resulted in 159 and 77 persons respectively.

 The Minister of State for Health, Dr Olorunnimbe Mamora who was represented by the Chief Medical Director of Federal Medical Centre Ebute Metta, Dr Adedamola Dada applauded the efforts of ISN in this innovation to recognise the contributions of Medical Laboratory Scientists in the development of healthcare sector.

 Dr Toyosi Raheem, the former President of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) who represented the President of the association, Prof. James Damen said he was overwhelmed with this recognition accorded his colleagues and his noble profession. He promised that the association will be willing to cooperate with ISN in the future.

 The Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), Dr Tosan Erhabor commended ISN and added that the award will spur both healthy competition amongst Medical Laboratory Scientists and encourage investment in capacity building of the personnel.

 Dr Erhabor went further in his words that “the management of MLSCN acknowledges and deeply appreciates the eligibility set out by ISN Products for applicants of the award, which included, requisite academic qualifications, registration with MLSCN and working in a registered Medical Laboratory or Hospital. This does not only shows that your company recognises and work with competent and qualified personnel it further demonstrates your patriotism and strong support towards our efforts to entrench quality medical laboratory services and eradicate the menace of quackery in medical laboratory science practice in Nigeria.”

 The Winner of the Award received a cash prize of N1 million, capacity development training, and donation of medical Laboratory equipment/reagents valued at N1 million to his facility of practice.

 The first runner-up received a cash prize of N750, 000 and capacity development training while the second runner-up received a cash prize of N500, 000 and capacity development training. The seven other finalists will receive consolatory prizes of N200, 000 each,

 The names of the ten finalists with their facilities are listed below                                    

1          Abiola Fashina – Winner, ISN Medical Lab Scientist of the Year Award, 2020       LAGOS     University of Lagos Medical Centre

2          Anayo Chidobu – 1st Runner up         LAGOS          El-Lab Medical Diagnostics and Research Center

3          Yahaya Usman – 2nd Runner up        KADUNA      Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital, Zaria

4          Nkechi Iheka – Finalist            LAGOS          El-Lab Medical Diagnostics and Research Center

5          Idayat Oyetunji – Finalist        LAGOS          Sickle cell Foundation Nigeria

6          Constance Agulanna – Finalist            ABUJA           Bwari General Hospital Bwari

7          Anthony Ofili – Finalist          LAGOS          SYNLAB NIGERIA

8          Florence Elujoba – Finalist      PLATEAU      Jos University Teaching Hospital

9          Aisha Shehu – Finalist     LAGOS          Federal Neuro-Psychiatric Hospital, Yaba

10        Nwosu Ngozi Bernice – Finalist          ANAMBRA   St. Charles Borromeo Specialist Hospital

 Dr Sandra Achebe, the Head Business Development and Client Services gave a vote of thanks to end the ceremony.

 ISN Products Nigeria Ltd. is the leading supplier of medical diagnostic products and services in Nigeria. As the authorized agent and distributor for Roche Diagnostics GmbH in Nigeria, we supply more reagent parameters for clinical chemistry and immunology than any other company in Nigeria. Our aim at ISN Products Nigeria LTD is to encourage the use of these parameters for diagnostic information in clinical chemistry laboratories throughout the country.

Over the last 4 decades, ISN has grown rapidly and established itself as a leader in the medical diagnostics distribution business with 9 offices across Nigeria and 4 offices in Ghana. ISN has also expanded into other product and service segments, including diabetes care, cold chain storage and distribution, and biomedical engineering services.