By Godwin Ajom
Not less than 200 residents in Calabar have benefited from the health outreach organized by the Batch B intern of Medical Laboratory Scientists from the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital (UCTH), in collaboration with the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), UCTH Chapter.
With support from the Nigerian Medical Laboratory Science Students Association (NIMELSSA), University of Calabar Chapter, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) Nigeria; Rotaract Club of UNICAL, Youth Friendly Hub UNICAL, and Excellence Community Education Welfare Scheme (ECEWS).
The outreach held at the Cultural Center Calabar, with the theme: “Don’t Guess, Test: Lab Test Saves Lives.” focused on educating the residents on the vital role laboratory testing plays in accurate diagnoses, disease prevention, and overall community health improvement.
Participants at the event received free health screenings, including tests for glucose levels, hepatitis A, B, and C, HIV, and syphilis (VDRL), blood pressure checks, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Beneficiaries also received essential health resources such as mosquito nets, condoms, and lubricants.
The event was graced by the presence of distinguished medical laboratory scientists, including the Chairman of AMLSN UCTH Chapter, Eld Ekpe Akpama; the Lab Coordinator of Chemical Pathology Department, Mr. Edet Anwan; the Chairman of AMLSN Cross River State Chapter, Mr Dennis Ekpo; Mr. Moses Emmanuel; Mr. Inyang Ekop; Mr. Agbor Awuna; Mr Ogar Osim; Mr. Ndifreke Bassey; Mr. Inah Boniface and other notable medical laboratory scientists and interns.
During the event, Mr. Edet Anwan highlighted the importance of laboratory testing in healthcare, emphasizing, “Laboratory testing is the foundation of accurate diagnosis and preventive care. It saves lives by detecting health problems early and guiding treatment decisions.”
In his remarks, the Planning Committee Chairman, Mr. Fortune Effiong spoke about the collective effort required to address public health issues, stating that “Public health education is a shared responsibility, not just the government’s or healthcare workers. Everyone who receives the message must spread it.”
He stressed the need for collaboration to combat emerging public health threats like antimicrobial resistance (AMR). He added: “We must work together to ensure every community has access to accurate health information and essential services. No one is safe until everyone is safe.”
The organizers averred that the outreach provided vital health services and underscored the crucial role medical laboratory scientists play in advancing public health initiatives and the campaign’s commitment to reducing disease transmission and promoting community well-being.
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