Enhancing quality healthcare in Nigeria through medical laboratory services: A review

Abstract

This article explores the pivotal role of medical laboratory services in enhancing the quality of healthcare in Nigeria. Medical laboratory science is a comprehensive field that involves a diverse array of diagnostic and analytical procedures. These procedures are of utmost importance in the provision of patient care, the early diagnosis of diseases, and the promotion of public health. The article elucidates the progression of medical laboratory services in Nigeria, tracing the transformation from the role of laboratory assistants to that of medical laboratory scientists. It underscores the significance of these services in informing healthcare decision-making. The essay also discusses the diverse obstacles encountered by the medical laboratory profession in Nigeria. The issues encompass insufficiencies in infrastructure, obsolescence of equipment, absence of a coherent policy framework, slow workforce expansion, persistent labor strikes, and a scarcity of trained specialists. The aforementioned issues not only impede the effectiveness of laboratory services, but also have extensive ramifications for healthcare provision throughout the nation. In order to address these difficulties and improve the standard of healthcare, the essay presents practical solutions and a thorough strategy. Furthermore, it underscores the significance of augmenting financial resources, mitigating corruption, and tackling wage inequalities in order to effectively retain medical laboratory specialists. The action plan is structured into distinct phases, each delineated by specified dates and delineating the duties of various stakeholders, such as government entities, healthcare establishments, professional associations, and diagnostic enterprises.

Figure 1.

Action plan to enhance laboratory services.