Don canvasses partnerships to revamp healthcare sector

The Provost College of Medicine, University of Lagos, Prof Ademola Oremosu, has advocated town and gown partnership for an improved healthcare system.

Speaking at the 8th Medical Laboratory Science induction and awards ceremony, he stated that town and gown must come together to change the narrative, “We need government to facilitate that kind of relationship so that we can produce things locally. The cost of importation is high.”

The guest speaker, Charles Anyanwu, stressed the need for policyholders and other stakeholders to look inwards and harness the resources for the betterment of the country.

Anyanwu, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of DCL Laboratory Products Ltd., urged the graduating students to consider establishing mega-laboratories. “It is not all about making money. It is also about national development, our youth, and the future of the country,” he said.

A lecturer of the college, Uchuno Gregory, said the government must improve the quality of service to address the exit of medical professionals abroad. He disclosed over 47,000 laboratory scientists have been produced and about 20,000 have left the country.

Gregory, who represented the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) Registrar/CEO, Prof Tosan Erhabor, said professionals must gain experience before leaving the country. To him, they should develop adequate skills so that when they go out, they will excel.

On his part, the Head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science at UNILAG, Prof Kolawole Oyedeji, disclosed that 45 medical laboratory science graduates, including two from Ladoke Akintola University, were inducted.