By Longtong Ibrahim
Jos (Nigeria) – Federal School of Medical Laboratory Science, Jos, Central Nigeria, has appealed to both Federal and Plateau State Governments to provide more funding for infrastructural development of the school and facilitate movement of the school to its permanent site.
Provost of the School, Dr. Sunday N. Etukudoh made the call during facility tour and matriculation ceremony of the 2015 medical laboratory technicians at the Permanent site, in Lamingo, Jos.
Dr. Etukudoh lamented that work on the Permanent site of the school had been abandoned due to lack of funds since 1985 – it was revisited in 2001, but still uncompleted – stressing the need for the completion of the clinical laboratories, which would serve as a base for academic excellence.
He pointed out that the school has been utilising the clinical laboratories of the Jos University Teaching Hospital for training; and hoped for speedy passage of the bill for an Act for proper establishment of the school, so as to have a legal backing for all its activities.
“the legal frame work will also empower the college to access the Tertiary Education Trust Fund for infrastructural development.”
“the school was established by the Federal government through the Federal Ministry of health in 1954, with a mandate to train medical laboratory scientists who would provide accurate diagnosis, monitoring of Treatment, thereby reducing the morbidity and mortality rate, significantly increase the life expectancy and quality of life of Nigerian via improved Healthcare delivery system.”
He however added that the school is committed to training of competent technicians who will meet the health care needs of the country.
Plateau State governor elect who was represented by Samson Dewan assured the School of the incoming administration’s commitment to improving the educational sector, saying the government would support the Institute in its capacity.
He advised the students to be committed and be involved in practical learning, to be specialists in their various fields.
In a key note presentation, title ‘medical laboratory science profession: my destiny and my passion’ Dr. Chukwu. O. Chukwu, admonished the students to shun all forms of social vices that could distract their studies, urging them to obey constituted authority and study hard.
“be passionate, committed and dedicated to God, your academic and social responsibilities in the school in order to succeed excellently.”
The guest speaker Mr. Olumide Olaniru, advised the students to be zealous in their academic pursuit, adding that it is a great privileged to be a technician and hence the need to do what is right.
He also called on parents to give adequate support to their wards to make them excel in their academic pursuit.
