The Vice-Chancellor, Trinity University, Professor Clement Kolawole, has charged the institution’s 2024 Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) graduates to stay curious, keep learning, and always strive for excellence in their professional journey.
He also enjoined them to also be humble and recognise the impact that their work will have on the lives of others.
Kolawole gave the charge at the induction ceremony for the graduating class of 2024 at Trinity University, Yaba, Lagos. The institution hosted the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria for the maiden induction ceremony of the students.
Speaking at the event, the vice chancellor said the induction ceremony symbolises the graduates’ commitment to upholding the highest standards of professionalism, ethics, and excellence in their field.
He said as medical laboratory scientists, they will play a critical role in diagnosing diseases, developing new treatments, and improving patient outcomes.
Kolawole said: “The future of medical laboratory science is bright, and you are well-positioned to lead the way. As you go forth, remember that you have a critical role to play in shaping the future of healthcare. Be bold, be innovative, and be committed to excellence. Strive to make a positive impact in your communities, and always remember that your work has the power to transform lives.”
Delivery a lecture titled: ‘Medical Laboratory Science, The Nexus of Modern Healthcare Delivery: The expectation from the Modern Medical Laboratory Scientist’, a profession of Chemical Pathology, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ago-Iwoye, Ogun State, Maria Ebesunun, said medical laboratories are the nexus of modern healthcare, playing a vital role in diagnostic process, noting that over 80 per cent of medical decisions rely on laboratory results and accurate diagnoses and treatment plans depend on lab tests.
According to her, MSL impacts healthcare through improved patient outcomes by accurate diagnoses. The professor noted that these diagnoses also enhance disease surveillance and outbreak detection, personalised medicine through genetic testing, effective disease management and monitoring, advancements in medical research and development.
Ebesunun stated that the challenges and future directions of MSL will involve integration with electronic health records (EHRs), data analytics and interpretation, emerging technologies, workforce development and training, regulatory compliance and accreditation.
She stressed the need for continuous research and collaboration with other health professionals and researchers and participation in clinical trials, development of new testing methodologies to grow the field in the healthcare system.
“If these expectations are achieved, modern medical laboratories would play a vital role in delivering high-quality patient care,” she said.
The best graduating student, Mrs. Dorcas Oluremi Dosumu, said the road to the moment was far from easy, facing long nights of studying, countless practical sessions, examinations and situations that tested their knowledge and character.
She said: “Yet, we rose above these challenges, learning not just the science of diagnosis but also the art of perseverance. This journey has shaped us into professionals who understand the importance of precision, integrity, and teamwork. As medical laboratory scientists, we are not just part of the healthcare team, we are its fulcrum and backbone providing accurate diagnostic results that guide prescription, therapy and patient management.
