The Governor Abia State, Dr Alex Otti says his Administration recognizes the role of Medical Laboratory Services in strengthening health-care delivery system.

Dr Otti who stated this while declaring Open the Annual Scientific Conference cum Annual General Meeting and 60th Anniversary Celebration of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria holding in Umuahia, said because his Administration is committed to supporting initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure, funding and professional development in the Health Sector, they allocated 15% of the Abia State Annual budget to the Health Sector.

The Governor represented by the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Health, Dr Ifeyinwa Uma-Kalu acknowledge that such Conference provides an excellent platform to explore solutions to the pressing challenges, share insights and foster collaborations that will further enhance the quality and effectiveness of medical laboratory services in the state and across the nation.

He commended the Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, for their immense contributions to the healthcare sector and tireless efforts in combating unnaturally health outbreak diseases and enjoined them to continue to uphold professionalism and innovation in the discharge of their duties.

In their remarks, the Deputy Speaker, House of Representative, Chief Ben Kalu represented by Mr Trumps Eke, Chairman on the Occasion, Prof Dennis Agbonlahor and a keynote Speaker, the Vice Chancellor Michael Okpara University of Agriculture Umudike, Prof Maduebibisi Iweh said the event is a testament to the resilience, dedication and excellent efforts of the Association towards advancing medical laboratory sciences in society and commended the Association for their good works to God and humanity.

In his Speech, the National President, Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists Of Nigeria, Dr Uche Odionyenma regretted that 50% of qualified medical Laboratory Scientists and Medical Laboratory Technicians are unemployed and advocated for a waiver of employment to ensure Medical Laboratory Scientists get employed.

Contributing, the National Organizing Chairman of the occasion, Prof Humphrey Nwobodo, State Chairman of the Association, Sir Ifeanyichukwu Anene and Local Organizing Committee Chairman of the occasion, Prof Lawrence Chigbu described Medical Laboratory Scientists as a noble profession and assured that the Association is committed to excellence, accurate and effective diagnostic healthcare services to citizens.

Highlights of the event were cutting of Anniversary Cake, Awards presentation and exhibition of Laboratory Scientists equipment.