The Ghana Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) have marked the 2025 edition of the International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day with a public lecture today, April 15.
The public lecture was held at the CLOGSAG Auditorium in Accra under the theme ‘’Biomedical Laboratory Scientists: Promoting Sustainability in Clinical Diagnostics’’.
International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day is celebrated to increase the awareness of the vital role of medical laboratory scientists in providing quality healthcare – in diagnosis, quality assurance, treatment, research, and other developments in the modern era of medical science.
Speaking at the event, President of the GAMLS, Dr. Eric Aidoo, said the occasion is one set aside to recognise the critical contribution of laboratory scientists worldwide to effect healthcare delivery.
He stated that the government’s commitment to reposition Ghana’s healthcare system and make the country a destination for health tourism cannot be achieved without a robust system that provides adequate and appropriate infrastructure to support a strong and effective medical laboratory system.
He said medical laboratory scientists are the backbone of Ghana’s health system, providing accurate, appropriate and relevant diagnoses that inform treatment decisions.
The work of laboratory scientists, he noted, saves lives, improves patient outcomes, supports disease surveillance and is considered critical in the World Health Organisation’s pandemic prevention, preparedness and response agenda.
To him, all these things cannot be achieved with a sustainable development plan for healthcare, and by extension, medical laboratory services must be sustained through adequate resource mobilisation, realistic pricing and a sustainable financing mechanism.
He stressed the need for the decoupling of medical laboratory charges from other services which is an important step in ensuring sustainable funding source to enable them run effective services that meets the needs and expectations of patients.
Dr Aidoo expressed gratitude to the President for uncapping the National Health Insurance Levy to free extra funds for the National Health Insurance Authority to reimburse health facilities for services rendered.He called on the government through the NHIA to put in place a more sustainable funding mechanism to support medical laboratory services.
He urged the government to also fashion a policy that mandates facilities to reserve portions of funds from the bundle tariffs solely for medical laboratory services.Mr. Emmanuel Sarfo reminded the government through the Ministry of Health to fulfil its promise of establishing a Medical Laboratory Council to strengthen medical laboratory regulation in Ghana.
He added that ’as the profession grows, there is the need to amend our laws for the establishment of the Ghana Medical Laboratory Science College to offer specialist training in accordance with the West African Health Organisation’s structure and guidelines that led to the establishment of the West African Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science. We believe this will go a long way to ensure that services are of international standard.’’
In his welcome address, the Greater Accra Regional Chairman of John Tosenu Mensah said there was a need to foster collaboration and innovation and ensure a motivated workforce that is well-resourced to provide accurate, reliable, and timely service and respond to emerging and reemerging public health challenges.
He said sustainable clinical testing requires resetting our current system, including the procurement of external services with the highest levels of impartiality, where patient safety would be their consideration.
This also requires an equitable financing module that supports testing services and retooling.
Dr Ignatius NA Awinibuno, Director of Allied Health, Ministry of Health, disclosed that the main agenda of the current minister was hinged on the free primary healthcare and Mahama Cares initiative, which will be dedicated to managing cases such as kidney, heart, cancer, and other non-communicable diseases.
He advised the medical laboratory scientists to accept postings to deprived communities.
The role of medical laboratory scientists is no longer peripheral but central to the healthcare system in the country.
A panel discussion on different topics, including ‘the role of the private sector in promoting sustainable resources in medical laboratories, public health contributions of medical scientists, and technological innovations in clinical laboratories, with key experts and professionals including Emmanuel Sarfo, President of the Association of Private Medical Laboratories; Dr Gloria Amegatcher, Public Relations Officer, GAMLS; and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Flokefama Company Limited, Emmanuel Kwabena Kenney, sharing their expert opinions.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
