Laboratory operators protest multiple charges

The Private Medical Laboratory Proprietors Association of Nigeria (PMLPAN) has decried multiple levies imposed on its members by various arms of government.

National president of the association, Comrade Ironkwe Okechukwu, stated this in Abuja during the second quarterly congress and National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting.

He said this was impacting negatively on the health sector, adding that poor state of infrastructure, unfriendly government policies, inadequate funding of private medical laboratories, multiple taxation, and regulatory activities of state government agencies, were factors bedevilling the members.

Okechukwu said the association had through its lawyer petitioned the Acting Registrar of Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), the ministers of Health and FCT and other government agencies involved in the multiple levies.

He said the association would not hesitate to approach a court of competent jurisdiction to seek interpretation on who is statutory regulator of medical laboratory practice and services in Nigeria.

A member of the organization, Mrs Adaku said members of the association have lost retainer-ship with hoteliers and other cooperate bodies, “This has ultimately led to low patronage, diminished income and huge job cuts. Some members are at the verge of shutting down business while others have gone bankrupt.”