Kemi Olatunde
A 17 man Technical Working Group (TWG) that will focus on reviewing laboratory standards, aligning procedures with emerging technologies, and ensuring consistent quality across facilities in Ondo State has been put in place by the Federal Government.
The event took place in Akure on Monday.
The committee is chaired by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ayodele Ojo Adiji while the Dure tor, Medical Laboratory Services, Mrs Bamitale Adedotun is the Secretary of the committee.
Inaugurating the committee, Commissioner for Health in Ondo State, Dr. Banji Awolowo Ajaka called for stronger coordination and increased use of technology in laboratory services, emphasizing the need for real-time diagnostic results to improve patient care and decision-making in the health system.
He highlighted the evolving role of diagnostic laboratories in modern medicine noting that health systems can no longer rely solely on clinical judgment or traditional practices when diagnosing diseases.
He explained that laboratory services currently operate across three key quality categories, stressing that each level must be properly monitored to ensure competence and accuracy.
Part of the process, he said, involves evaluating the technical expertise of laboratory personnel, including reviewing their professional qualifications and practical capabilities.
He noted that while clinical experience remains valuable, relying exclusively on a clinician’s judgment without laboratory confirmation can lead to inaccuracies.
According to him, the group’s role would be operational rather than political adding that its responsibility will include standardizing laboratory processes, monitoring performance, and ensuring feedback from technical personnel is integrated into policy decisions.
In his opening remark, Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, Dr. Ayodele Ojo Adiji stressed the need for team work in the sector noting that no department can exist in isolation.
According to him, the health sector is united in achieving a common goal and called for unity among stakeholders to advance the system.
In her welcome address, Director, Medical Laboratory Services, Ministry of Health, Mrs Bamitale Adedotun expressed appreciation to the Health Commissioner for his leadership, support and commitment in strengthening the health system of the state, particularly the development of laboratory services.
She noted that laboratory services remain a critical pillar of the health system stating that Ondo state practice both clinical laboratory services, which she said support patient diagnosis and treatment, and public health laboratory services, which she explained are essential for disease surveillance, outbreak detection, and epidemic response.
The establishment of the Technical Working Group she described as a strategic step toward strengthening coordination and improving the quality of laboratory services across the state.
According to her, it will enable stakeholders focus on key areas such as quality assurance in laboratory practice, strengthening the sample referral network, regulation of both public and private laboratories, as well as improving standards in laboratory operations.
“It will also support important public health responsibilities such as screening of food vendors and other preventive health activities that help protect the health of our population.
“Through this collaboration, we believe that laboratory services in the state will become more coordinated, more reliable, and more responsive to public health needs.” She added.
In his goodwill message, representative of the Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare, Samson Adejoro stated that the Ministry is supporting 25 states including four in the South West in strengthening the laboratory services in Nigeria.
According to him, the committee is settled with the responsibility of ensuring that government supports laboratory activities in order to have accurate results in terms of diagnosis in the state.
He congratulated the state for the privilege and hinted that Ondo State has the highest data reporting in Nigeria.
Giving an overview of the State Laboratory Technical Working Group, he stated that it operates with the following terms of reference;
“Provide guidance on implementation of the National Medical Laboratory Strategic Plan and other laboratory systems strengthening initiatives.
“In collaboration with various stakeholders, provide guidance to government on the establishment of functional clinical and public health State Laboratory Network across all disease areas.
“Provide guidance on the establishment of a Laboratory information management system that pulls Laboratory data across disease programs at all levels of health care service delivery to inform health policies and intervention strategies.
“In collaboration with relevant regulatory bodies provide guidance on the implementation of quality management systems for laboratory practice
Provide technical guidance to government on the development, updating, reviewing, issuing and informing laboratory policies, guidelines, algorithms, and standardization of laboratory protocols, procedures and processes.
“In liaison with the different disease program leads, coordinate and provide implementation oversight for overall lab equipment harmonization, standardization and management.
Advise government on State human resource requirement, development and utilization for Medical Laboratory Services.
“Facilitate collaboration across donors, implementing partners and key stakeholders.”
Representative, Director, Health Planning, Research and Statistics, Dr. (Mrs) Dorcas Johnson who was optimistic that the state would surpass those ahead of it, encouraged committee members to put in their best in ensuring an improved laboratory services in the state.
Director, Medical Laboratory Services, Ondo State Hospitals’ Management Board, Mrs Florence Abiona commended the federal government for its commitment and dedication in supporting medical laboratory services in the country and called for more collaboration and technical guidance for the success of the committee.
She assured of the board’s resolve in achieving the aim of the state.
Director, Medical Laboratory Services, Ondo State Primary Health Care Development Agency, Mr. Israel Adeyemi commended the efforts of members of the committee who have retired from the civil service and pledged the support of the Agency’s laboratories in ensuring the fulfilment of the laboratory agenda of the state.
Laboratory lead, APIN Public Health Initiative, Ondo State, Dr. Offie Chinenyeike Daniel attributed the selection of Ondo State among the South West states to her doggedness and proficiency in terms of laboratory quality describing laboratory as critical in the health sector.
Chairman, Guild of Medical Laboratory Directors, Prince Segun Ogunoye said that the inauguration of the committee will help in eradicating quackery in the profession