The Department of Medical Laboratory Science started as a unit of the department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology was created in the year 2009 at the College of Medicine of the University of Lagos. The Programme shall award the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) degree. The World Health Organization gave a directive in 1984 that all Health Professionals should have a degree as their basic qualification by the year 2000 and advised all Teaching Hospitals running Diploma Programmes to evolve by instituting the degree programme in their degree awarding sister institutions. Programme shall award the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) degree.

The Department produce professionals who will be specialized in handling laboratory investigations in various disciplines such as Chemical Pathology, Haematology and Blood Group Serology, Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Molecular Diagnosis, Immunology and Histopathology.

Preamble:

The global shortage of skilled health workers is a significant barrier to achieving good health outcomes and achieving the MDGs. It is therefore important to create an enabling environment for raising outstanding professionals with skills for laboratory medicine and evidence based diagnosis for patient’s management in Nigeria in order to meet the MDGs.

The Medical Laboratory Science Department is poised to provide the highest standards of learning resulting in production of Medical Laboratory Science professionals with the theoretical knowledge and practical background empowered with scientific skills necessary to provide quality laboratory services, in accordance with nationally and internationally accepted standards. Therefore, the department will prepare students with sufficient theoretical scientific knowledge base and practical skills that will enable them assume professional positions. Furthermore, the student will be trained in relevant practical and technological competence in practice at primary, secondary and tertiary level of health care and develop their skills in interpersonal relationship to function as a member of the health with patient-centered focus.

The department has been accredited by National University Commission (NUC) and Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) to be able to carry out the above function.

Philosophy:

The dynamism of medical science and the ever-increasing need for improved and faster methods of disease-diagnosis underscores the need for a high level of academic and scientific training for Medical Laboratory Scientists.  This cadre of medical professionals requires broad-based fundamental and modern scientific knowledge and its application in health care.  The strategic advantages of the University of Lagos and its status as the University of Choice in Nigeria make it well-suited to provide basic and further training and research in this field as it is obviously well sought-after.

The broad philosophy of training in Medical Laboratory Sciences shall be:

1. i) To provide sound academic and professional background for the production of Medical Laboratory Scientists who would be capable of working anywhere in Nigeria.
2. ii) To produce Medical Laboratory Scientists who would satisfy internationally recognizable standards and who could undertake further training towards specialization.

iii)     To produce Medical Laboratory Scientists with sufficient management ability to play a leadership role and entrepreneurship in employing others, establishing self, and also in training and general practice of laboratory science.

Aim/Objectives:

The basic aim is to produce Medical Laboratory Scientists as skilled healthcare professionals in the area of disease diagnosis applicable in health industry. This is to help in providing good health care delivery system in Nigeria in conjunction with other healthcare professional as a health/medical team.                            

The specific objectives of training in Medical Laboratory Science is to:

1. i) Perform effectively in clinical diagnostic services, research, academics and in quality assurance.
2. ii) Function in collaboration with other members of the health team in the care of individuals and groups at all levels of health care.

iii) Prepare relevant diagnostic reagents as well as fabricate and laboratory equipment.

1. iv) Demonstrate a leadership role in the training and practice of Medical Laboratory Science.