UNIOSUN Inducts 54 Medical Laboratory Scientists, VC Charges Graduates On Accuracy

By Marvelous Fayemi , Osogbo

Osun State University (UNIOSUN) has inducted 54 newly qualified medical laboratory scientists, with the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Odunayo Clement Adebooye, urging them to uphold professionalism, accuracy and compassion in their service to humanity.

Adebooye described medical laboratory scientists as critical players in healthcare delivery, noting that the accuracy of their findings often determines the course of patients’ treatment and the decisions taken by doctors.

The Vice-Chancellor made the call on Thursday at the second induction and oath-taking ceremony of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, organised in collaboration with the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN).

The ceremony, held at the 750-Seater Hall of the College of Health Sciences, Isale-Osun, Osogbo, marked the formal induction of the 54 graduates into the medical laboratory science profession.

Addressing the inductees, Adebooye emphasised the importance of their responsibilities in the healthcare system, describing them as the professionals whose laboratory findings help guide clinical decisions.

“The first respondent in the sense that the result of what you do determines what the doctor will do. You are the navigator,” he said.

He urged the newly inducted professionals to demonstrate empathy, respect and compassion in their interactions with patients, stressing that technical competence must be matched with a strong sense of responsibility.

The Vice-Chancellor encouraged them to remain diligent in carrying out laboratory investigations, noting that accurate results are essential to effective diagnosis, treatment and patient management.

In his welcome address, the Coordinator of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Dr Yekeen Adebisi Kosamat, described the induction as another significant milestone in the development of the department and the university’s commitment to producing competent healthcare professionals.

Kosamat said the graduates had undergone rigorous academic and clinical training through lectures, practical sessions, laboratory demonstrations, clinical postings and professional mentorship.

He disclosed that the 54 inductees comprised two First Class graduates, 26 with Second Class Upper Division, 24 with Second Class Lower Division and two with Third Class honours.

The coordinator urged the graduates to uphold the highest ethical standards, stressing that their professional responsibilities extended beyond the possession of academic qualifications.

“A laboratory result is not just a number on a report. It may determine whether a patient receives treatment, undergoes further investigation or is discharged from hospital,” he said.

He cautioned the inductees against falsifying results or compromising quality standards under pressure, urging them to protect patients’ confidential information and work collaboratively with other healthcare professionals.

Kosamat also encouraged the graduates to embrace continuous learning and professional development to keep pace with advances in medical laboratory science.

He expressed appreciation to the university management and the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFund) for supporting the department with laboratory equipment and a solar inverter system.

According to him, the intervention would strengthen practical training, research and teaching while improving the reliability of electricity supply for laboratory operations.

He, however, called for sustained investment in infrastructure, modern equipment and the recruitment of additional academic and non-teaching personnel to support the department’s continued growth.

Also speaking, the Registrar and Chief Executive Officer of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, Dr Donald Ibe Ofili, who was represented by Imam Shehu Okanlawon, formally welcomed the graduates into the profession after the induction and oath-taking proceedings.

The council’s representative commended the department’s staffing structure and appealed to the university management to consider establishing a dedicated faculty for medical laboratory science.

He also urged the university to take advantage of its available academic personnel to introduce higher-degree programmes in the discipline.

At the ceremony, Akinpelumi Omotoyosi Oluwasemilore was recognised as the overall best student among the 54 inductees.

The induction ceremony reaffirmed UNIOSUN’s commitment to training healthcare professionals equipped with the knowledge, technical skills and ethical values required to contribute to improved healthcare delivery in Nigeria.