AMLSN communique at the end of maiden conference and workshop

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE MAIDEN  SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE AND WORKSHOP OF THE ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENTISTS OF NIGERIA (AMLSN) GOMBE  STATE BRANCH WHICH HELD BETWEEN 8TH -12TH MAY  2017 AT THE MULTI- PURPOSE  HALL OF GOMBE STATE UNIVERSITY

PREAMBLE

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) Gombe  State branch held her maiden  Scientific Conference between  8th and  12th May  2017 at the Multi-purpose Hall  of Gombe State University with the theme “Molecular Diagnosis and Personalized Medicine ” .

The keynote speaker was  Professor Oluyemi Akinloye FRSC, FMLSCN, FIBMS, Head, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Basic Medical Science,  University of Lagos

The theme and sub themes focused purely on Molecular diagnosis, Flow -Cytometry, DNA sequencing, and IVDs regulation

The scientific conference recorded over hundred and twenty  participants drew from the following states of the Federation;  Gombe,  Adamawa,  Plateau,  Bauchi,  Yobe,  Kano,  Jigawa,  Abuja FCT,  Borno,  Taraba, and Katsina .

The resource speakers where drawn from Academia, and  Research Institution  which included the following University Dons;  Prof. James O. Adisa - Department of Medical Laboratory Science
University of Jos, whose paper was delivered by Alh Musa Bukar - a Lecturer  at the University of Maiduguri,  Prof. Farouk Sarkinfada
Professor of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, who came all the way from United Arab Emirates (UAE) to deliver his paper, Professor  Abdulmumini Hassan Rafindadi - a  Consultant Pathologist from ABU Zaria,  Dr Usman Dutsinma
Deputy Dean, Faculty Of Science, Bayero University, Kano,  Mr. Saliu Idris - a Country Director, Safe Blood for Africa Foundation Abuja, Mr. Tosan Erhabor, Ag Registrar/CEO
Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) whose paper was delivered by the Director Education - Alh M. M. Azeez,  and Sct Jonathan Madueke - an Assistant Director  Medical Laboratory Service - National Hospital Abuja.

The Opening ceremony witnessed  the presence of high profile dignitaries and policy makers chaired by the Vice Chancellor, Gombe State University - Professor Ibrahim Umar OON,  while the special guest of honour was His Excellency, the Deputy Governor of Gombe State - Hon Charles Iliya (JP). The  Chief Host was the National President of AMLSN - Alh. Toyosi Raheem.
Other dignitaries present at the occasion were  the Secretary to the State Government (SSG),
the Hon Commissioner of Health - Dr Kennedy  Ishaya,  the Royal father of the day - HRH Haruna Abdulkadir Rasheed, a first class  Emir of Dukku and Pro -Chancellor of Gombe State University.

The Hon Speaker House of Assembly Gombe State was represented by the Chairman committee on Education,  while the Chief Medical Director, Federal Teaching Hospital,  Gombe  was represented by Dr Mohd Yusuf - a consultant Histo- pathologist.
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ACTIVITIES :
The conference commenced with free Medical Outreach Program to Dukku  LGA where Medical Laboratory Scientists
offered to the community free counseling and  screening for HIV,  HBsAg and HCV.  A total of 91 patients were screened.

The  workshop session recorded seven (7) research papers while the Scientific session recorded (5) scientific papers.

CONFERENCE OBSERVATION:

1. The conference noted that molecular diagnostics and personalized medicine offers hope for improved detection and treatment of serious  disease conditions.

2. It was also observed that, even the most promising new technological approach will not result in marked improvement in patient management,  if not implemented as part of a larger algorithm that must be based on the close interaction between the clinician and the laboratory including antibiotic stewardship.

3. The conference also noted that,  in-vitro diagnostic (IVDs)  Laboratory in Lagos have the potential of reducing fake and substandard IVDs products to zero level if the challenges surrounding its regulation  are all tackled. Challenges such as  Misinterpretation of role and activities of other Regulatory Agencies (e.g NAFDAC and SON)  as it relates to IVDs regulation in Nigeria), inadequate government commitment/backing of IVDs regulation in Nigeria, inter-professional wrangling/rivalry, lack of proper advocacy and orientation to the end users (which are mostly Medical Lab Professionals), failure of most IVDs Manufacturers/Importers to list their companies and comply with MLSCN IVDs regulation.

4. The conference also agreed with the Registrar/CEO of MLSCN that the commissioned public health in-vitro diagnostic control laboratory (IVDs Lab) at Yaba,  Lagos is capable of creating more job opportunities for the young unemployed Medical Laboratory Scientists  in Nigeria.

5. The conference also noted a gap in the management of hospitals under the supervision of the Gombe state ministry of health due to absence of Hospital Management Board

6. The conference also observed the need for urgent commencement of the training of Bachelor Degree course in medical laboratory science at the  Gombe State University in order to strengthen  the current College of Medicine and also provides opportunity for the indigent of the state to study Medical Lab. Science.

7. On molecular diagnosis of HIV, the conference noted that,  even though numerous laboratories in  major African cities are employing highly sophisticated laboratory protocols,  including  PCR-based assays, they are however,  too few to keep pace with the scale of the HIV epidemic.

8. The conference generally observed lack of capacity for Molecular studies on HIV in Tertiary Health centres and Higher Institutions.

CONFERENCE RESOLUTIONS

Conference resolved as follows :

1. That Medical  Laboratory Scientists must engage in extensive research in the field of tumour genomics and theranostic applications to shop for molecular target for personalized medicine

2.  That there is urgent need to reduce fake and substandard IVDs products to a minimal level in Nigeria

3. That government should give full  commitment and backing to  ensure that Regulatory Agencies like NAFDAC,  SON & MLSCN  operates within their statutory mandates.

4. That government should quickly resolve the wrangling between MLSCN,  NAFDAC and SON in respect to IVDs regulation for the good interest of ordinary patients.

5.  That government should create an enabling environment for MLSCN to carry out fully their mandate based on IVDs regulation in line with section 4(e) of MLSCN Act 11,2003  (CAP M25 LFN 2004) without prejudice or hindrance.

6. The HAART standardized algorithm for patient management,  rigorous adherence to infection control and antibiotic stewardship programs as well as other factors including laboratory information technology be put in place.

7.  That government at all levels should encourage staff training and re-training, particularly in Medical laboratories  in order to facilitate good  diagnostic services and disease control program.

8. That government as a matter of urgency establish Gombe State Hospital Management Board for more effective and efficient management of our hospitals.

9. That Laboratory Revolving Fund be separated from the existing Drug Revolving fund as directed by the Government of Gombe State

10. That the Pathologists and Medical Lab Scientists must wake up and cooperate together in order to remain relevant in patient-care and management.

11. That the combination of information collected using PCR technology with virologic and immunologic assays will help to broaden our understanding of HIV genetic variations and its  role in transmission,  pathogenesis,  disease progression,  drug resistance,  and vaccine development.

CONCLUSION
The leadership of AMLSN  Gombe State,  on behalf of the organising committee  wishes to thank the Deputy  governor of Gombe State - His Excellency, Hon Charles Iliya (JP), the Secretary to the State Government,  HRH the Emir of Dukku,  Chief Medical Director FTHG, the Vice Chancellor Gombe State University for approving venue of the conference and  all our invited guests and resource speakers.
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Special thanks also  goes to the keynote  speaker- Prof Oluyemi Akinloye and all guest speakers and our Directors,  Nums diagnostic Ltd , gentlemen of the press, conference planning committee (CPC) members, and all participants.

Signed :
Sct.  Abdulsalam Yakubu
Chairman

Sct.  Emmanuel Peter
Secretary