RismadarVoice Reporters
September 24, 2026
The Kwara State Government has commenced a 10-day capacity-building programme for 44 medical laboratory scientists to improve the diagnosis of malaria and tuberculosis in the state.
The training, which focuses on malaria and tuberculosis microscopy, is aimed at strengthening laboratory services and improving the accuracy and reliability of diagnostic results.
The Commissioner for Health, Amina Ahmed El-Imam, disclosed this on Thursday in Ilorin while declaring the programme open, according to a statement by the ministry’s Press Secretary, Saad Hamdalat.
El-Imam described the training as an important step towards improving disease detection and reducing cases of misdiagnosis.
She urged the participants to take advantage of the programme and apply the knowledge gained to their duties at their respective health facilities.
The commissioner stressed the importance of laboratory scientists in healthcare delivery, noting that their findings play a significant role in determining the treatment and management of patients.
She warned that inaccurate laboratory results could lead to unnecessary expenses, prolonged illness and, in severe cases, loss of life.
El-Imam encouraged the participants to prioritise quality assurance, continuous professional development and knowledge-sharing in their practice.
The Director of Public Health, Oluwatosin Fakayode, said the programme was specifically designed to strengthen the capacity of laboratory scientists in malaria and tuberculosis microscopy.
According to Fakayode, the training would enhance the quality of laboratory diagnosis across the state while equipping participants with practical skills needed to support clinical decision-making.
The lead facilitator, Oladosu Oladipo of the ANDI Centre of Excellence for Malaria Diagnosis at the University of Lagos, commended the state government for investing in diagnostic capacity.
Oladipo called for the establishment of a dedicated malaria diagnostic centre in Kwara to sustain the gains of the training and further improve specialised diagnostic services.
The training is being conducted in two batches, with each batch undergoing 10 days of theoretical and practical sessions in malaria and tuberculosis microscopy.
The state government expects the programme to strengthen the ability of participating laboratory scientists to provide timely and reliable diagnostic services for patients with malaria and tuberculosis.
