Korede Abdullah 
IBADAN, Nigeria – Health and laboratory experts have called for improved wages for laboratory professionals and stricter regulation of sachet water production, warning that weak oversight and poor welfare are undermining public health.
The demands were made at the 2026 World Laboratory Day organised by Lab21 Services Limited and the Association of Analytical and Calibration Laboratory Directors.
Chairman Taslim Owonikoko said poor remuneration is driving skilled professionals abroad, worsening capacity gaps across critical sectors.
“If we continue with the current rate of brain drain, inefficiencies in the system will persist,” he said.
Participants also raised concerns over poorly regulated sachet water production in parts of Oyo State, linking it to waterborne diseases and toxic exposure risks.
Dr Femi Oyediran warned that inadequate diagnostic access contributes significantly to preventable deaths, citing estimates that improved testing could avert over one million premature deaths annually in low- and middle-income countries.
Experts urged regulators to intensify monitoring of manufacturers and called for stronger collaboration to improve laboratory systems and safeguard public health.
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Mirian Gom 
