…..As Medical Laboratory Scientists’ Association asks CMD to rescind decision.
In what can lead to an untimely industrial unrest, the Association Of Medical Laboratory Scientists Of Nigeria, Ondo State Branch, has written a formal letter to the new Chief Medical Director (CMD), of the Federal University of Technology (FUTA), Teaching Hospital, Akure, to demand the reversal of his decision on the scrapping of the Office of the Director, Medical Laboratory Services Department at the Hospital.
The letter dated 11th June, 2025 signed by MLS Akinlolu Ayodeji, Chairman of the Association and MLS Adeola-Oyekan Joshua, Secretary, reads that “NEED TO MAINTAIN STATUS QUO: It has come to our notice that you presented a newly prepared organogram to our colleagues, members of the above named Association that render healthcare services under Medical Laboratory Services department, Federal University of Technology Akure Teaching Hospital (FUTATH), Akure, Ondo State, for consideration as part of your intended restructuring process to run the teaching hospital.
The copy of the letter sighted by SUNSHINETRUTH News, indicates that, “This organogram was found to have totally jettisoned, invalidated and utterly disregarded the role of Medical Laboratory Services which is a vital part of healthcare, playing important functions in accurate diagnosis, treatment monitoring. disease prevention and control.
“We are filled with an overwhelming sense of outrage that despite the renewed hope agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu (GCFR) in the health sector, particularly the recent commissioning of the African Centre of Excellence (AMCE) in Abuja, an appointee of the same government will flagrantly abuse and disregard government rules, extant circulars, Laws of the land, constitution of Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) as amended and several court Judgements by removing the department of Medical Laboratory Services from the organogram that is meant to run effective healthcare service delivery.
“Other services like Dentistry, Nursing services, Health information management, Pharmacy, Nutrition & Dietetics (kitchen) etc were all included, but our department which has the largest number of human resources after Nursing Services is copiously missing.
“This self-conceived illusion in the name of organogram which is aimed at truncating the long years of peaceful coexistence between health workers of Ondo State and disrupt the state of harmony, mutual respect and cooperation between laboratory professionals shall be resisted in the interest of patients and the good citizens of Ondo that will be at the receiving end.
“It is important to note that staff of Medical Laboratory services Department were appointed by the University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo at the inception of the University. The University of Medical Sciences Teaching Hospital, Ondo, had entered into a Memorandum of Understanding with Ondo State Hospitals Management Board (HMB) which is in control of the State Specialist Hospital in Akure for the Hospital to be used as Teaching Hospital for University of Medical Sciences, Ondo city,
“The University of Medical Sciences, Ondo, then adopted the Organogram for Medical Laboratory services in Tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria by creating the Department of Medical Laboratory Services under the headship of Director, Medical Laboratory Services (DMLS) at the Teaching Hospital in Akure. The Organogram for Medical laboratory Services in Tertiary Hospital in Nigeria is herewith.
“This organogram was done based on the approved Scheme of Service for Medical Laboratory Scientists cadre as approved by the National Council on Establishment in 2000 and communicated to the Honourable Minister of Health for retention and use vide Establishment and industrial Relations department letter with reference number 8.63279/T/35 dated 22 February, 2001.
“In the organogram for Medical laboratory services in tertiary Hospitals in Nigeria, there exist an office of Director Medical Laboratory Services (DDMLS), two (2) offices for two Deputy Directors (DDMLS) and four (4) offices for Assistant Directors, Medical Laboratory Services (ADMLS) where each heads Clinical Chemistry, Medical microbiology. Hematology and Histopathology units. This is the minimum structure for Medical Laboratory Services.
“(i) Medical laboratory scientists are legally entitled to operate/work under a separate directorate as specified in the extant Scheme of Service, Laws, Rules and Circulars:
“(ii) Medical Laboratory Services Directorate should be recognized officially and the responsibilities & schedule of duties prescribed in the extant scheme of service do not conflict with any other department.
“In view of the above, we humbly urge you to use your good office as a pioneer Chief Medical Director, and in the spirit of continued expression of dynamism in perspective that you met on ground, genuine innovation and restructuring embarked upon by your administration, to give recognition to the already implemented pronouncements of the law courts in favour of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Nigeria as shown in the above Judgments.
“The importance of the continued existence of the Department of Medical Laboratory Services in FUTATH cannot be overemphasized. It will invariably promote the needed team work in FUTATH and maintain the efficiency and productivity that UNIMEDTH, now FUTATH is known for.
“Additionally, we have an existing structure which FUTATH adopted as part of the transition plan from UNIMEDTH 10 FUTATH vide a Menaradum of Understanding entered into between the parties. It is expected that parties will stick to the agreements entered into Changing the existing structure may be viewed as a breach of the understanding reached at the taking over of the Teaching Hospital from UNIMED.
“We therefore demand that status quo be maintained to foster the continuous harmonious relationship enjoyed between members of staff of FUTATH and the management of FUTATH. You just resumed not quite long and we do not want you to commence your administration with strained relationship that will be devoid of peaceful co-existence which is essential for adequate patient care.
“We are ready to work with you and cooperate with you but we also want you to re-think your decision of scrapping the office of Director medical Laboratory Services. We will not hesitate to resist any attempt to scrap the office. Falsehood may indeed travel for a thousand years. but the day truth begins its journey, a will overtake falsehood,” the letter reads.
“The introduction of your new organogram is a calculated attempt to usurp the statutory professional functions and roles of Medical Laboratory Scientists, silence them, relegate them to the background and make them irrelevant in the scheme of things even while they serve their father land. Government in its wisdom charged the National Council on Establishment with the responsibility of articulating schemes of service for different professional groups. Before this was done, they embark on a nationwide job evaluation exercise.
“This is a very stringent exercise that cumulated into the establishment of different schemes of service. Unfortunately, Chief executives of hospitals like you are arrogating to themselves better knowledge and understanding than the National Council on Establishment. You want to set aside the scheme of service of professional groups.
“This unfortunate posture is really causing a lot of disaffection and upheaval in the health sector. You want to stagnate Medical Laboratory Scientists in their career progression and prevent them from getting to the zenith of their profession. Your decision to scrap the office of the Director, Medical Laboratory Services is an act of disobedience and regard for government rules and regulations and definitely a call for anarchy.”
