In furtherance of its efforts at equipping laboratory scientists with requisite skills necessary to improve the detection, identification, accurate diagnosis and reporting of Malaria cases, the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) has conducted a 5-day capacity building workshop at the 661 NAF Hospital (661 NAFH) Ikeja, Lagos. The workshop, which commenced on 10 August 2020, had 30 medical laboratory scientists drawn from NAF units across the country in attendance.

Speaking during the inauguration of the workshop, the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), Air Marshal Sadique Abubakar, who was represented by the Commander, 651 Base Services Group, Ikeja, Air Commodore Rasaq Olanrewaju, described medical laboratory science as a key component of any healthcare system. He noted that more than 70 per cent of the information required for proper medical diagnosis is generated by the laboratory.

Air Marshal Abubakar disclosed that the NAF had accordingly made significant investments in medical laboratory equipment as well as infrastructural upgrade and training of its laboratory scientists. He further revealed that the NAF recently approved the procurement of additional laboratory equipment and payment of accreditation fees for the re-certification of 661 NAFH Laboratory to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 15189 standard. Speaking further, the CAS maintained that the production of accurate and reliable laboratory results was predicated on the establishment of robust Quality Management System.

While appreciating the cooperation and support of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria towards the accreditation of NAF laboratories, the CAS tasked NAF laboratory scientists to work assiduously to ensure that more of the NAF’s laboratories attain the international accreditation status of ISO 15189. According to him, “Ultimately, this workshop should lead to higher quality laboratory services and improved patient care in our medical units”, he said.

The workshop ended today, 14 August 2020, with the award of certificates to the participants.