University Vice Chancellor Urges New Laboratory Scientists to Avoid Errors

The Vice Chancellor of Chrisland University in Abeokuta, Prof. Oyedunni Sola Arulogun, has advised newly inducted medical laboratory scientists to focus on accuracy, integrity, and compassion in their work. She warned that mistakes in laboratory testing can have serious consequences for patients.

This message was delivered during the university’s second induction and oath-taking ceremony for 16 graduates of Medical Laboratory Science, held on Wednesday. Arulogun highlighted the vital role these scientists play in healthcare by providing essential information for diagnosing diseases and determining treatments.

She emphasized that each laboratory specimen represents a person whose health may depend on the accuracy of test results. “When a patient enters a hospital with a serious illness, they first seek a doctor, but the doctor relies on the medical laboratory specialist for accurate information,” she explained.

Arulogun cautioned against carelessness, stating that errors such as mislabeling samples or incorrect results can lead to dangerous outcomes. She stressed that speed should never come at the cost of accuracy and that integrity must guide all professional decisions.

She also encouraged graduates to embrace new technologies like molecular diagnostics and artificial intelligence, which are changing how diseases are diagnosed and treated. Arulogun expressed concern about Nigeria’s public health issues, including infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance, noting that laboratory professionals are key to addressing these challenges.

Dr. Donald Ofili, the Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, who spoke at the event, congratulated the graduates and praised the university for its role in medical laboratory education. He urged the university to enhance its facilities and training programs to better prepare future professionals.