Federal College of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology, Jos (FSMLS)

The Federal College of Medical Science and Laboratory Technology, Jos was established by the Federal Government through the Federal Ministry of Health in 1954 at Lagos to provide the much needed middle level manpower requirements in the health sector e level manpower requirements in the health sector of Nigerian economy. The College went through metamorphosis. In 1958, the college was officially operational primarily to train Medical Laboratory Technicians at Lagos Pathology Department building and Federal Laboratory Service, Yaba and subsequently upgraded to run a four-year programme for the training of Medical Laboratory Technologists (Scientists) leading to the award of Associate Institute of Medical Laboratory Technology (AIMLT). It was later upgraded in 1973 to train high level Medical Laboratory Scientists many of whom are occupying various top positions in the Universities, Research institutions, food and beverage industries, veterinary and vaccine production centres, public health institutions, secondary and tertiary establishments inside and outside the country. In order to improve infrastructural facilities, provide opportunities for more students and increase the scope of training capacity and capabilities, the school was relocated to Jos in 1978 and operated in the temporary structures located at the premises of the Jos University Teachings Hospital (JUTH) old site. It utilizes the clinical laboratories of JUTH for training. The development of facilities at its permanent site at Shere Hills commenced until in 1985 when woks were halted. However, by 2001, developments of more projects commenced. In 1998, the school now college was affiliated to the University of Jos to run a 5-year degree programme in Medical Laboratory Science, leading to the award of Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS) with specialty in the following disciplines: Clinical Chemistry, Haematology & Blood Group Serology, Bacteriology, Histopathology, Parasitology and Virology in addition to Associate of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (AMLSCN) programme for Graduate students in related courses and Fellowship Programme of the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (FMLSCN) for qualified Medical Laboratory Scientists. The BMLS programme graduated Five (5) batches of Medical Laboratory Scientists before the National University Commission (NUC) in 2006 de-accredited affiliated programmes in all Universities in the country with a mandate that all affiliate programmes be absorbed into their parent body. In line with the NUC directives, the school transferred 100 Level to 400Level undergraduate students to various universities running BMLS programme to complete their studies while the Five (5) batches of BMLS graduates were sent to Ambrose Alli University, Ekpoma for re-certification along with their counterparts from other institutions. The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) decided to stop the admission of Graduate students programme in 2009 without clearly stated reasons. However, the school wrote to the Federal Ministry of Health on the matter and was graciously granted three (3) years concession to admit students and the school admitted students in 2009. The School also wrote and secured approval from Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria, to train Medical Laboratory Technicians in 2012.