The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), has expressed strong opposition to a contentious health reform bill currently under consideration by the National Assembly, cautioning that its approval could disrupt the country’s healthcare system, threaten patient safety, and spark renewed professional disputes.
The legislation in question — Executive Bill HB:2701 and a related Senate version — seeks to amend the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria Act, particularly Sections 3 and 29, which define the governance structure and scope of medical laboratory science practice in Nigeria.
Core Concerns Raised by AMLSN
Restructuring Governance
Addressing journalists in Abuja on Saturday, AMLSN National President Dr. Casmir Ifeanyi described the proposed amendment as “a dangerous regression disguised as reform,” warning that it is misaligned with global best practices and inimical to Nigeria’s healthcare delivery.
At the heart of the controversy is the proposed restructuring of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN). Under the current law, the council maintains professional dominance in governance to ensure technical oversight.
The bill, however, proposes:
- Expanding the council’s board to include non-specialists.
- Increasing the influence of political appointees.
- Removing the requirement that the council’s chairman be a Fellow of the profession.
- Including representatives from the Medical and Dental Council of Nigeria (MDCN), on the MLSCN board.
Dr. Ifeanyi argued that these changes would erode professional independence, weaken regulatory standards, and amount to “institutional sabotage.” He emphasized, “Leadership in medical laboratory science cannot be detached from scientific competence.
Collaboration is not co-regulation. What is being proposed is structural overreach and professional capture.”
Impact on Clinical Decision-Making
Another major concern is the bill’s contradiction in Section 29, which broadly defines medical laboratory science but limits practitioners’ roles in diagnosis.
According to Dr. Ifeanyi:
“Over 70% of clinical decisions depend on laboratory-generated evidence. To exclude labouratory scientists from diagnostic contributions is to separate evidence from its ownership and institutionalise confusion.”
He also condemned provisions in HB:2695, which attempts to subsume core laboratory functions — including molecular diagnostics, genetic testing, and assisted reproductive technologies — under medical practice. The AMLSN described this as a “stealth-driven legislative overreach” that could compromise specialized fields and endanger patient care.
Legal and Regulatory Implications
Nigeria’s current MLSCN Act, Cap M25, 2004, has been upheld in over 22 judgments of the National Industrial Court, establishing a strong legal precedent. Experts warn that altering the law without proper alignment could create regulatory conflicts and legal uncertainty.
The AMLSN also cautioned that the proposed amendments could undermine compliance with international labouratory standards, such as ISO 15189:2022, which governs quality and competence in medical laboratories globally.
Broader Public Health Risks
Medical labouratory services are critical to Nigeria’s healthcare system, underpinning 60–70% of clinical decisions. Weakening regulatory structures could threaten disease surveillance, diagnostic accuracy, and treatment monitoring — areas that have seen substantial improvement through government investments in response to outbreaks like Ebola and COVID-19.
Dr. Ifeanyi stressed, “This is not about professional rivalry. It is about patient safety and the survival of a critical pillar of Nigeria’s healthcare system. Healthcare must be guided by evidence, not expediency.”
Inter-Professional Tensions
The AMLSN’s stance aligns with broader concerns among other healthcare professionals, including nurses, doctors, and allied health workers under the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU).
These groups have protested against bills that would place all health professionals under the MDCN, warning that such centralisation could:
- Undermine autonomy of existing regulatory bodies.
- Diminish specialised oversight for non-medical doctor cadres.
- Weaken inter-professional balance and collaborative healthcare delivery.
Recent protests at Unity Fountain in Abuja included petitions to lawmakers, emphasizing that reforms must respect professional boundaries and technical competence.
Calls to Action
The AMLSN has called on President Bola Tinubu and the National Assembly leadership to halt the legislative process and allow broader stakeholder consultation.
Any health sector reform, according to the association, must:
- Align with scientific evidence.
- Respect global regulatory standards.
- Preserve the legal and institutional frameworks underpinning Nigeria’s healthcare system.
Dr. Ifeanyi concluded:
“Deviation that weakens standards is not innovation; it is the exportation of risk to citizens. Regulatory reform must strengthen, not destabilise, healthcare delivery.”
Conclusion
The rejection of HB:2701 and related bills by medical laboratory scientists and allied health professionals underscores a fundamental tension in Nigerian healthcare reform: balancing political oversight with professional autonomy, protecting patient safety, and ensuring evidence-based governance.
As debates continue in the National Assembly, the AMLSN and allied unions remain vigilant, advocating for reforms that safeguard Nigeria’s healthcare integrity rather than compromise it.
