By: Kenneth Anam
CRSMoH, Calabar.
The Cross River State Government today marked the 27th Anniversary of the World Biomedical Science Laboratory Day in commemoration of the noble profession and all her contributions to the successes recorded in the health sector.
The event which witnessed a carnival procession trend of Biomedical scientist and all other health and medical practitioners in the state featured a sensitisation and orientation walk across the streets in the state capital which took off at the Cenotaph, Millenuim Park Calabar.
Every 15th of April is set aside as a memorial in commemoration of the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Sciences Day which was established (BLS Day) in 1996 at the IFBLS World Congress in Oslo, Norway to promote and celebrate the key role of Biomedical Laboratory personnel in diagnostic and preventive health care systems.
The purpose of BLS Day is to increase the awareness of the role that Biomedical Laboratory Scientists have in providing health care. Biomedical Laboratory Scientists play a key role in diagnosis, quality development and assurance, treatment, research and development in the modern medical sciences.
International BLS Day gives our profession a day to promote and celebrate ourselves as a profession.
The theme for the day is selected by the IFBLS Board of Directors and is related to health issues and supports the UN and WHO Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The theme is used for two years. The theme for BLS Day 2023/2024 is “Guardians of Quality and Patient Safety: Biomedical Laboratory Scientists”
Speaking at the event on behalf of the governor shortly before the commencement of the walk,the Honourable Commisioner For Health Dr. Janet Ekpenyong who was accompanied by the permanent secretary Ministrt of Health Dr.Pauline Obute, Dr. Offor Offor Director Medical Services CRSMOH and a host of others stated that Biomedical Laboratory Scientists are one of the largest groups of health-care professionals and have a vital role in medicine and public health whose roles cannot be overemphasized.
She reiterated that the Biomedical Laboratory Scientist are the best to carry out medical investigations and tests to ascertain the correct position of things as related to health and medical diagnosis for proper care and effective treatment. She called on all and sundry in the noble profession to
Use the BLS Day actively and promote the BLS’ professional skills and contributions to ensure good health services as she declared the days event open whilst wishing them a happy BLS day.
Responding Dr. Dennis Ekpo A. The chairman Nigerian Biomedical Sciences and Laboratories Association,Calabar Chapter thanked the Sen.Prof. Ben Ayade’s led administration for their resilience and unrelenting supports in the health sector and the recent ongoing engagements of Biomedical laboratories scientists into the workforce of the state governments. He reinstated the resolve of the association to hold unto the ethics and standard practices of the profession to ensure apt results and service delivery in the State.
The sensitisation walk kicked off at the Millenium park and held through the major routes of Mary Slessor to the streets of Marian then terminated at the Palace of the Ndidem of Quas Calabar Municipality where free medical services and tests were carried out.