By: Joy Odor/Kaduna
The Forum of the Nineteen Northern States, and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja Association of the Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) has condemned in totality the cheap blackmail and character assassination of their members and the reckless use of Civil Service authority without due consideration of its impact on services delivery to the public.
Addressing newsmen at a press conference in Kaduna State, North-West, Nigeria Saturday by the Chairman of the Forum, Mr. Abdul-Salam Yakubu which had their embers drowned from Kaduna, Kebbi, Jos, Maiduguri and FCT comprises private and public services in Nigeria, the group alleged that their image has been battered.
The address read “the 19 Nineteen Northern States Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) in the 19 Northern States and the Federal Capital Territory Abuja comprises all Medical Laboratory Scientists meet periodically to review issues of common interest and the development of the Medical Laboratory Science Profession in the region”.
“We are shocked today, to hear that our members and senior colleagues at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital (BDTH) Kaduna are recalcitrant as conveyed vide the Kaduna State Ministry of Health and Human Services Memo Ref: MOH/ADM/56/T.
“Upon our investigation, we discovered that this blackmail is untrue, unfounded and seemingly malicious. We realized that there is a dispute between the Medical Laboratory Scientist and the Pathologist which has culminated in a biased and the punitive re-deployment of high caliber Medical Laboratory Scientists” Abdulsalam Yakubu said.
“We also gathered that the said dispute is a subject of litigation at the National Industrial Court (NIC). “We therefore, cannot comment on the merit or otherwise of the substantive matter pending in court. However, we condemn the appalling fabrication and the misrepresentation of the characters of our colleagues at BDTH to justify calculated actions to intimidate and harass them.”
“This particular action by both the authorities of the Kaduna State Ministry of Health and Human Services and the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital is not in the best interest of the Hospital and that of the general public. The affected staff are highly skilled Medical Laboratory Scientists with specialized training on the operations of some Hi-tech Medical Laboratory Equipment.”
“The sudden deployment of these staff albeit for no justifiable reason will no doubt compromise services to patients and other members of the public at the Barau Dikko Teaching Hospital. It is unfortunate that international donors and partners would expend funds to provide specialized testing equipment and training of personnel and the authorities of BDTH will make nonsense of such noble interventions and investment,” the group added.
The Forum therefore called on the Executive Governor of Kaduna State, His Excellency, Mallam Nasiru El-Rufai to investigate the ugly development at BDTH and get to the root of the matter and salvage BDTH from the shackles of maladministration and administrative recklessness.
According to Forum, they are confident, knowing the antecedents of his Excellency as a thorough and no nonsense administrator that he will do the needful in the prevailing circumstance and not allow the name of his administration to be ridiculed.
