Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria have urged President Bola Tinubu to revoke his recent nomination of Babajide Salako as Chairman of the Board of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).
The Medical Laboratory Scientists Association claimed that Salako’s appointment violated MLSCN’s establishment rule because she was not a Fellow of the organization nor a certified practitioner of medical laboratory science.
Under the aegis of the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), the practitioners criticized the appointment process and asked President Tinubu to look into the circumstances that led to the violation of the law and impose appropriate sanctions on those responsible for embarrassing the Presidency and the government.
The association also urged the National Assembly and the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) to wade into the issue and offer appropriate advice to the President on the necessity of reversing the appointment and replacing him with recourse to the law.
The (AMLSN) asserted that the dispensation of quality service in public and private medical laboratory facilities in the country can no longer be guaranteed if their plea was not heeded.
During a press conference on Monday, February 19, at the National headquarters of MLSCN in Abuja, the National President of AMSLN, Casmir Ifeanyi, emphasized that while outlining the ultimatum to the President, the leadership of the association is committed to fostering industrial harmony.
He further stated that their appeals are based on upholding the rule of law and preventing division in the governance and regulatory responsibilities of the MLSCN, adding, “However, if this untoward situation is not redressed now, AMLSN will be unable to guarantee the availability of quality medical laboratory testing in Nigeria, both in private and public. We call on all our members to remain calm but on the alert for the next line of action”.
On the reason for protesting against the appointment of Salako, Ifeanyi said the disregard for MLSCN establishment law, had the input of the Minister of State for Health and Social Welfare, Tunji Alausa being a friend to Salako.
Quoting Section 3 (1)(a) of MLSCN establishment law, Act CAP (M25) LFN 2004 (Act 11 of 2003), Ifeanyi said, “3—(1) There is established for the Council a Governing Board (in this Act referred to as “the Board”) consisting of — (a) a chairman who shall be a qualified Fellow of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria with 5 years post qualification experience and shall be appointed by the President on the recommendation of the Minister from a list of names of the Fellows submitted by the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientist of Nigeria (in this Act referred to as “the Association”).
“Dr. Babajide Salako does not fulfill the above credentials enunciated in the law, we are therefore shocked at the brazen violation of the above section of the law without recourse to the list of names submitted by the Association In compliance with the law to the Honourable Coordinating Minister, Federal Ministry of Health and Social Welfare.
“We are aware that Dr. Babajide Salako’s purported appointment as Chairperson Board of MLSCN is not unconnected with his relationship with the Minister of State, Health and Social Welfare, Dr. Tunji Alausa, his classmate and close friend.
“Dr. Tunji Alausa is said to be a friend of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, but this attempt by Dr. Alausa to appoint his friend Dr. Salako at all costs as Chairperson of the MLSCN is a step capable of truncating all the good intentions of Mr President in the health sector
“Foisting Dr. Salako on MLSCN and in a high position for which he lacks the qualifications or experience is a sure step towards destroying medical laboratory testing in Nigeria.”
The group said being an avowed stickler to the rule of law, the President should not allow Salako’s appointment to stain his records as a democrat, “We are convinced that the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, His Excellency, Sen. Bola Ahmed Tinubu, will do the needful.” (The Nation)