The Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, Federal University Otuoke Bayelsa State held its Inaugural Annual Conference with the theme” Unlocking the Potential Of Film Reading In Laboratory Practice And Research” under the Distinguished Chairmanship of the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Chris Onyema at the School of Postgraduate Studies Auditorium, West Campus.
Chairman of the Organizing Committee, Dr. (Mrs.) Chinedu-Madu Jane Ugochi in her welcome address said the theme of the conference was conceived to explore the intricacies of film reading for diagnostic and research purposes and create room for members to showcase their skills and appreciate the place of modern technological trends in film reading in various fields.
She stated that the conference will be a platform to share knowledge, exchange ideas, and collaborate on cutting-edge research in the neglected field of film reading and urged participants to utilize the opportunity to push the boundaries, and make inputs in the field.
The Acting Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Eni-yimini Solomon Agoro in his opening remarks disclosed that the workshop was born out of the dwindling critical role of film reading in disease diagnosis, management and research, stressing that a lot of diseases cannot be diagnosed accurately without the input of film reading.
He noted that the Keynote Speaker and others billed to present papers are known for their depth and grasp of knowledge in the field of discourse.
The Acting Dean emphasized that selected staff will be conferred with meritorious awards for their enormous contributions towards the successes recorded during the curriculum programme design and thanked God for making the conference possible.
He also expressed gratitude to the VC for appointing him as the Acting Dean of the Faculty.
The Chairman of the occasion, Professor Chris Onyema, who is the Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University while declaring the conference open, described film reading as a special assignment in medical laboratory practice adding that a workshop is more technical than a conference. He congratulated the Faculty for organizing the maiden conference particularly having the Vice Chancellor as the father of the Faculty who has demonstrated great leadership qualities by establishing the Faculty, stressing that the conference will broaden the frontiers of knowledge of medical laboratory practitioners and students.
The Vice Chancellor of FUO, Professor Teddy Charles Adias enjoined the Department of Haematology to collaborate with the Department of Mathematics to update the curriculum saying that learning is a continuous process and advised those in the Department to work hard to improve their performance.
In his presentation, the Keynote Speaker, Professor Musa Abidemi Muhibi from the Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Edo State University, Uzairue speaking on the theme, “Unlocking The Potential Of Film Reading In Laboratory Practice And Research”, described film reading as a cornerstone of Medical Laboratory practice which involves the meticulous examination and interpretation of film that need skills and must be subjected to periodic training. He listed the tripod of Bio-medical Science as Diagnosis, Research and Training.
The Keynote Speaker said film reading requires precision, accuracy, efficiency and sustainability to improve comprehension of laboratory techniques, enhance proficiency in performing procedures, active viewing practice, identify key steps, analyze techniques, consider potentials, utilize discussion and reflections.
Other paper presenters were; Dr. Benjamim Eledo, Department of Haematology/Blood Transfusion, Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa, on “Patient Centered Care And Haematology, Film Reading: Improving Clinical Outcomes and Patient experience, Dr. Emmanuel Onuoha, Department of Haematology and Transfusion Science, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, FUO on Hematopoietic Stem Cells: Mechanism and Proliferations, Dr. Onoride Andrew Udi, Department of Human Anatomy, Faculty of Basic Medical Science, FUO on Histology/Cytology: slide reading: decoding tissues cells signature, Dr. Precious Atisi, department of Haematology and Transfusion Science faculty of Medical, Laboratory Science, FUO on Film Based Veterinary Diagnosis: Film Interpretation of Animal Samples, Dr Faith Okeluwe, Department of Parasitology, Federal. Medical Center, Yenagoa on Insight into Film Based Microbiology Diagnosis among others.
An Award of Honour for a meritorious service was presented to the Vice Chancellor, Professor Teddy Charles Adias and the Deputy Vice Chancellor, Professor Chris Onyema in recognition of their leadership roles towards the establishment of the Faculty.
Others who bagged the prestigious awards include, Professor Iheoma Adekunle, Professor Collins Chiemeke and a Deputy Registrar, Mrs. Tariere Dapibi.
The Secretary of the Conference Organising Committee, Mordecai Owajioniro Godstime read the citation of the Keynote Speaker, Professor Musa Abidemi Muhibi and described him as a well experienced scholar that has groomed several Laboratory Scientists and has been an external examiner to many Universities.
The conference was for 3 days beginning from Wednesday, 7th May – Friday 10th, 2024 and was spiced up with a formal dinner. It had in attendance delegates from Universities across Nigeria.
From the Publications Unit