MLSCN REGISTRAR, DR ERHABOR ADVOCATES MERGER AND ACQUISITION IN PRIVATE MEDICAL LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH.

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MLSCN REGISTRAR, DR ERHABOR ADVOCATES MERGER AND ACQUISITION IN PRIVATE MEDICAL LABORATORY PRACTICE FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH.

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SULEIMAN ABDULWAHAB ENEYE

The annual Workshop of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) [Festac/ Satellite Chapter], Lagos State held at Luxury Rockview Hotel Festac town in Lagos on the 28th and 29th of April 2021 attracted the cream of society. The event became a medium for cross pollination of ideas on private Medical Laboratory Management.

 In his welcome speech, the Chapter Chairman, Mr Vincent Iwunze informed the participants that the purpose of the workshop is to impact positively on the practice, to  build capacity and to strengthen the members to effectively compete in the fast growing Medical Laboratory business World. Chief Augustine Ebisi, who was the Chairman of the occasion  encouraged the Medical Laboratory Scientists to be determined to achieve greatness. He applauded his colleagues for the beautiful roles they played during Covid 19 pandemic.

 The Keynote theme of the workshop, “PRIVATE MEDICAL LABORATORY PRACTICE: EXPLORING THE POSSIBILITIES OF MERGER AND ACQUISITION FOR STRATEGIC GROWTH” was delivered by the Registrar/ CEO of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria [MLSCN], Dr Tosan Erhabor. He appealled to Medical Laboratory Scientists to have a change of orientation because, according to him, there is urgent need for more investment in human resource aggregations, facilities upgrade, personnel capacity upscale, effective coordination, integrated quality management system and committed approach towards Laboratory Accreditation.

He went further to say that the essence is to promote the strategic growth of the medical laboratories especially in the private sector, for optimized and quality services as well as high financial returns on investment (ROI). Dr Erhabor called the attention of his colleagues to the fact that non Medical Laboratory Scientists are taking advantage of the great opportunity in the sector by establishing mega laboratories.

 The Golden Registrar as he was fondly called also suggested the way forward. He opined that all medical laboratory facilities must register with MLSCN, Private medical laboratory proprietors should pool resource together and collapse their facilities to establish mega laboratories, that a proper feasibility study on the private medical laboratory market should be done to drive the modalities and scope of the merger, Colleagues in the private sector should begin to see private practice as a big business not a part-time job, Mutual trust and understanding amongst colleagues should be developed so as to effectively drive business initiatives and strategic growth in private practice

Evidence of QMS implementation is a necessity for the operation of medical laboratory services in Nigeria.

 In his conclusion, MLSCN boss assured participants that “the current realities in the private Medical Laboratory Services does not support high patronage and generation of quality test results from most of the small/medium private laboratories. The Registrar was very emphatic in his presentation that the time to upgrade and upscale through effective merger to establish mega facilities is now and the emergence of competitive private facilities owned by other stakeholders makes this more imperative. He further reassured the participants that the MLSCN will continue to do all within her powers to keep Medical Laboratory Scientists relevant in the practice of their profession especially in the private sector explaining that they intend to achieve this through the sustained fight against quackery and sub-standard practices by colleagues.”

 The occasion had in attendance other key management officers of MLSCN who accompanied the Registrar, including the Director of Accreditation services at MLSCN headquarters, Dr Donald  Ofilli and the Head of Southwest MLSCN zonal office Mr Offutalu Paulinus. Other important dignities included the Prince Elochukwu Adibo,  National President, Guild of (Private) Medical Laboratory Directors (of Nigeria), Mr Olumide Fadipe,the state AMLSN branch Chairman, Mr Abiodun Hamzat, HEFAMAA board member, Mr Chima J Anorue, the GMLD state Chairman who was ably represented by the Vice chairman, Mr Julius Abimbola Adekoya and several present and past AMLSN branch chairmen, GMLD Lagos State executive officers and AMLSN Lagos State Executive Officers.