Anambra Government Inaugurates 17 Member Laboratory Technical Working Group

The Anambra State Government through the State Ministry of Health, has inaugurated 17 members of State Laboratory Technical Working Group (SLTWG) for effective coordination of laboratory systems across state.

The Commissioner for Health, Dr. Afam Obidike charged them to work within the terms of reference guiding the group so as to promote health of the people.

“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.’’

The Commissioner during the inauguration in Awka, reiterated the commitment of Gov. Charles Soludo in repositioning the healthcare system in the state.

Dr. Obidike said that medical laboratory or clinical laboratory is where tests are conducted out on clinical specimens to obtain information about the health of a patient to aid in diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease.

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 are hopeful that there will be laboratory information management system for integration in all disease areas.’’

He stressed on the need for certification and recertification of not only medical laboratory scientists but also medical doctors so as to sanitize the entire health system.

Oyenike Oyeniyi