Healthcare stakeholders and members of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) community have called on the Honourable Minister of Health, the Minister of State for Health, and the Registrar of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) to urgently intervene in a dispute over the proposed relocation of the Immunology Unit at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State.
The call follows mounting concerns by Medical Laboratory Scientists over safety, professional standards, and due process, amid plans to convert the existing Immunology Unit into a haematology ward. Affected staff argue that the move poses serious risks to laboratory operations and violates internationally accepted best practices.
According to information circulated within the MLS community nationwide, the issue dates back to September 10, 2025, when the Head of the Haematology/Immunology Department reportedly informed the Head of the Immunology Unit that a grant had been secured for the laboratory, without providing further details. On November 9, the unit head was allegedly directed to release keys to the laboratory to allow the placement of excess benches.
On November 10, a memo reportedly circulated via WhatsApp directing all Medical Laboratory Scientists in the Immunology Unit to relocate to Serology Room 2, which also houses the blood bank. The directive allegedly gave staff 48 hours to vacate the laboratory and submit all keys and documents to enable the space to be converted into a haematology ward.
Senior MLS staff immediately raised objections, noting that the proposed relocation falls short of World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations, which require a minimum laboratory space of 15–20 square metres per person. They warned that overcrowding could increase exposure to laboratory hazards, compromise biosafety, and raise the risk of accidents.
The matter was escalated to the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN) and the Joint Health Sector Unions (JOHESU). Following the commencement of a JOHESU strike on November 15, senior MLS officers reportedly met with the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of UNTH to formally present their concerns. The CMD later inspected the facilities and called for dialogue between management and staff.
Despite multiple meetings, stakeholders say no resolution was reached. AMLSN and affected staff subsequently established a surveillance team to monitor laboratory safety. On December 10, a memo was reportedly issued requesting the submission of inventories in preparation for relocation.
Tensions escalated on December 15 when the Head of the Immunology Unit was allegedly informed that the laboratory door had been forcibly opened after surveillance hours, despite assurances that all keys had been deposited as instructed. An emergency congress of AMLSN members at UNTH was convened on December 17, during which participants reportedly discovered that laboratory signages had been altered. The congress removed the signages, re-secured the laboratory doors, and embarked on a peaceful protest.
Further concerns were raised on December 19 when a Medical Laboratory Scientist on surveillance duty reportedly sent a distress message and video alleging that the routine haematology laboratory had been broken into and that dismantling work had commenced. AMLSN executives reportedly intervened to halt the activity.
On December 23, representatives of the Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP), JOHESU, and some Deputy Directors of Medical Laboratory Science met with the CMD. During the meeting, the CMD reportedly appealed for the relocation to proceed, citing the risk of losing grant funding. He also reportedly pledged to construct a storey building within six months to serve as a haematology laboratory and to hand over the keys to the Head of Department upon completion. The NUAHP chairman said the union would communicate its position in due course.
Despite ongoing engagements, staff allege that construction and modification activities continue within the affected laboratory spaces, allegedly taking place at night after surveillance teams have closed.
Stakeholders are now urging the Federal Ministry of Health and relevant regulatory bodies to intervene urgently, suspend the relocation, and ensure that any restructuring of laboratory services adheres strictly to International Labour Organization (ILO) and WHO safety standards, preserves training and accreditation requirements, and follows established professional and administrative procedures.
