The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) has vowed to arrest and prosecute members found running substandard laboratories in Delta State, as part of a nationwide clampdown on quackery and efforts to safeguard public health.

Speaking at the flag-off of the inspection exercise in Asaba, the Acting Registrar/CEO of MLSCN, Dr. Donald Ofili, stressed that the move was not targeted at individuals but aimed at ensuring professionalism and public safety.

“This is not a witch-hunt but a professional regulatory exercise to protect Nigerians from substandard practices. Our mandate is clear: to promote quality, discipline erring practitioners, and prosecute quacks where necessary,” Ofili said.

The inspection will cover Asaba, Warri, Ughelli and adjoining communities. Three teams of trained inspectors will assess laboratories using structured checklists focusing on staff qualifications, facility standards, safety compliance, participation in External Quality Assessment (EQA), and other key benchmarks.

The exercise is provided for under Section 4(e) of the MLSCN Act 11, 2003 and guided by the gazetted National Protocol on Laboratory Inspection, which mandates strict enforcement of professional standards.

According to the council, only licensed medical laboratory scientists, supported by certified technicians, are authorised to conduct medical investigations on humans.

Findings from the exercise will be submitted to the Delta State Governor through the Commissioner for Health, while a monitoring team will remain on the ground to enforce compliance and sustain continuous surveillance.

Ofili called for the support of the Delta State government, stakeholders, the Nigeria Police Force, the media, and the public, noting that the drive aligns with the Federal Government’s Renewed Hope Agenda for strengthening the health sector.