Scientists Protest Exclusion from Employment

The Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria, Rivers State, has protested the omission of medical laboratory  scientists technician and assistants in the recent employment of health workers by the Rivers State Hospital Management Board.

The chairman of the association, Dr Chris Mbata, who said this at a dinner/award night and reception in honour of Hon Dakuku Peterside the members representing Andoni/Opobo-Nkoro Federal Constituency said that the situation is a reflection of the low esteem in which the society holds medical laboratory practitioner.

While stressing that the need for the board to have a rethink on the situation, Dr. Mbata argued that there is no way medical practice can succeed without the aid of medical laboratory practitioners.

The association also stressed the need for the state government to provide vehicles to medical laboratory practitioners in its employment as it was done to doctors in the state.

“A closer look at my address during the opening ceremony would show you a lot of injustice against this noble profession despite the fact that, it has produced three eminent professors of Rivers extraction”.

He described the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Lassa fever and public health”, as timely as especially now that the state is witnessing the reemergence of the disease, stressing that people need to be properly sensitised on the dangers of Lassa Fever.

The event was attended by people from all walks of life while Hon. Dakuku Peterside was represented by Hon. Pawari George member representing Asari-Toru, Akuku Toru Federal Constituency.