In a renewed effort to strengthen healthcare delivery in Lagos State, the Health District V of the Ministry of Health has embarked on an intensive capacity-building programme targeted at medical laboratory personnel, focusing on equipping them with practical knowledge in laboratory equipment management. The training, which took place in Festac Town, drew attendance from Medical Laboratory Scientists and Technicians across the district.
Addressing participants at the session, the Permanent Secretary of Health District V, Dr. Oladapo Asiyanbi, emphasized the critical role of continuous learning and collaboration in sustaining high standards in the medical laboratory profession. Dr. Asiyanbi charged professionals in the field to cultivate a culture of sharing knowledge, stressing that hoarding expertise undermines collective growth and ultimately affects patient care outcomes.
“The future of healthcare rests not just in infrastructure or technology, but in the competence and resilience of its workforce,” he noted. “I’m encouraging you to form a four-person committee in your various facilities and take immediate steps to review and upgrade your quality management systems. Within a week, I expect you to submit a clear plan outlining practical measures you can implement even with limited resources.”
He maintained that acquiring new knowledge is only impactful when it translates into improved practices in the workplace. According to him, improved competence among laboratory professionals would help reduce stress, enhance diagnostic precision, and minimize equipment downtime, which has often plagued public health institutions.
The Head of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Unit of Lagos State Health District V, Mrs. Oluwakemi Faduola, in her welcome remarks, highlighted the uniqueness of the training, pointing out that it went beyond conventional laboratory workshops. She explained that the programme was designed with an emphasis on actionable strategies around information flow, effective inventory management, regular upkeep of laboratory spaces, and immediate on-site application of lessons learned.
Mrs. Faduola lauded the participating officers for maintaining essential records at their respective facilities, describing it as a step in the right direction. She urged them to remain committed to improving their documentation systems, stressing that well-managed records are key to operational efficiency and accountability in medical laboratories.
Also present at the event was Dr. Ahmad Bello, Director of Medical Services for the District, who urged the attendees to carry themselves with a strong sense of professional pride. “What you believe about your own capacity matters. Self-confidence influences the results you produce,” she said. Dr. Bello encouraged laboratory personnel to maintain thorough inventory records and ensure regular communication among colleagues, noting that collaboration helps to prevent avoidable mistakes and ensures continuity of care.
She further stated that the lessons from the training must be reflected in the day-to-day operations of laboratories, adding that supervisors visiting the facilities should be able to see tangible evidence of improved practices.
The comprehensive training featured hands-on demonstrations and practical sessions that covered both preventive and corrective maintenance of laboratory equipment. Participants were also taken through modules on asset tracking, safe handling and storage protocols, as well as methods for optimizing the use of available equipment in a cost-effective manner.
In line with the Lagos State Government’s policy of strengthening diagnostic services, participants received essential tools and supplies at the event. Items distributed included laboratory waste management materials such as colour-coded waste bags, sharp disposal boxes, and waste bins. Reagents and consumables such as Turks solution, Hepatitis B and Syphilis test kits, and EDTA bottles were also shared. To complement theoretical learning with practical application, laboratory equipment such as microscopes and hematocrit centrifuges were handed over to selected participants for use in their respective facilities.
The initiative reflects the commitment of the Lagos State Government to invest in human capital development within the healthcare system. With the evolving demands of public health, the programme is part of a broader agenda to equip frontline diagnostic personnel with the tools and skills required to deliver timely, accurate, and high-quality laboratory services.
As the state intensifies efforts to improve healthcare outcomes, this intervention signals a strategic move to build a more responsive, resourceful, and technically equipped workforce capable of delivering world-class medical diagnostics across Lagos.