Picture Above: IHVN Technical Adviser Laboratory Services, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi and IHVN Senior Manager Laboratory Services, Mrs Balogun Oyebimpe receiving guests on a tour of NaLEEC at the ceremony. laboratory.
The National Laboratory Equipment Calibration Centre (NaLECC) has received international accreditation to calibrate laboratory equipment for quality assurance and optimum performance.
The center’s ISO 17025:2017 accreditation by Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS), makes it the first in West Africa certified to provide this service.
Institute of Human Virology Nigeria (IHVN) provided technical support to the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) in the establishment and accreditation of the center.
At a ceremony to unveil the accredited center, IHVN Technical Adviser Laboratory Services, Mr Abubakar Abdullahi noted that IHVN and MLSCN have had a long-standing relationship since 2004. Getting this accreditation is a big achievement for Nigeria and West Africa.
“The fact that we can now have laboratory tests here in Nigeria makes it cheaper and more accessible within a very short time. We supported NaLECC as an implementing partner of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). CDC was magnanimous in giving us the opportunity to be part of the project. I think it is also based on our strength in the laboratory and because IHVN has a good reputation for developing capacity in terms of laboratory personnel, structure and quality of our services. We are hoping that all facilities in the country will utilize the center and begin to get basic equipment calibrated.”
Register/Chief Executive Officer, Medical Laboratory Council Of Nigeria, Dr. Tosan Erhabor and CDC Country Director Dr. Mary Adetinuke Boyd, presenting the NaLEEC accreditation certificate to the Hon. Minister of State for Health, Barr. Joseph Ekumankam.
The unveiling ceremony witnessed the presentation of accreditation certificate to the center by the Hon. Minister of State for Health, Barr. Joseph Ekumankama and goodwill messages by partners.
MLSCN Registrar and Chief Executive Officer Dr. Tosan Erhabor thanked CDC for the establishment, equipping and training of personnel for the center.
“The funding from CDC and technical support from IHVN led to the attainment of the accreditation status. We are indeed grateful to them,” he said.
Dr. Erhabor also appealed to the Federal Government of Nigeria to mandate Federal health facilities to avail themselves of the services at the center and other accredited laboratories in the country.
