The Greater Accra Regional Chapter of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) on Tuesday took healthcare to the heart of commerce, marking International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science Day with a massive free health screening for market women at Kaneshie Market.
Globally observed on April 15 each year, International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day is set aside to recognise medical laboratory science as a vital pillar of the health system and to raise awareness of the role laboratory scientists play in diagnosis, treatment, and patient management in the modern era of medicine.
This year’s celebration is themed “Sustainability in Diagnostic Medicine: Importance of Laboratory Testing in Healthcare”, a call to strengthen diagnostic services as the backbone of quality, preventative, and curative care.
In line with the theme, GAMLS Greater Accra moved its celebration from the lab to the marketplace, setting up screening stations in Kaneshie — one of Accra’s busiest trading hubs.
Hundreds of market women received free checks for blood pressure, blood glucose, and other basic diagnostic tests administered by volunteer medical laboratory scientists.
Speaking to Rainbow Radio 87.5FM Nyankonton Mu Nsem during the exercise, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GAMLS, Dr John Tosenu Mensah, said the outreach was deliberate.
“Medical laboratory scientists are often behind the scenes, but 70% of clinical decisions depend on our work. We chose to come to the market because these women are the engine of our economy, yet many don’t get time to visit hospitals for routine checks,” he explained.
Dr Mensah disclosed a worrying trend from the screening: a significant number of the market women recorded high blood pressure readings. “Most of the women we screened today are living with hypertension, many unknowingly. We’ve counselled them to seek regular medical attention, cut down on salt, and make time for exercise despite their busy schedules,” he said.
He stressed that early detection through laboratory testing is key to preventing complications like stroke and kidney failure, which are costly to treat and devastating to families. “This is why diagnostic medicine must be sustainable — accessible, affordable, and continuous,” Dr Mensah added.
While praising the dedication of lab professionals, Dr Mensah outlined systemic challenges hampering healthcare delivery. He cited a shortage of qualified medical laboratory staff across facilities and inadequate equipment and reagents at many CHPS compounds and district hospitals.
“We are calling on government to employ more qualified medical laboratory scientists and provide adequate medical logistics. You cannot run quality healthcare without diagnostics. A doctor’s prescription is only as good as the test result it’s based on,” he appealed.
Dr Eric Akorly, also representing Greater Accra regional medical laboratory scientists, used the occasion to acknowledge the government’s newly launched Free Primary Health Care Programme, which began rollout this week. The initiative promises free screenings for hypertension, diabetes, cancers, and other conditions at over 350 new container-based service points nationwide.
Dr Akorly urged Ghanaians to take full advantage of the intervention. “This is a bold step toward universal health coverage. We encourage every citizen, especially our mothers in the markets, to walk in and check their status. Prevention is cheaper than cure,” he said. He, however, joined the call for more staff recruitment to match the scale of the programme.
Some beneficiaries expressed gratitude for the exercise, describing it as timely. “We are always here selling from morning to evening. We don’t get time for hospital unless we are very sick. Today they checked my BP and sugar for free and explained everything to me. I will take my health seriously now,” said Maame Esi, a tomato seller at Kaneshie.
Another trader, Auntie Adwoa, added, “The doctors said my BP is high, but I didn’t know. I thank them. Government should bring this every month.
As the world marked International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day, GAMLS Greater Accra said the Kaneshie outreach was more than a ceremony — it was a demonstration of the theme in action.
“Sustainability in diagnostic medicine means we must invest in the people and tools that make testing possible. If we get that right, we reduce disease burden, save costs, and save lives,” Dr Mensah concluded.
The Association pledged to continue public education and outreach while engaging the Ministry of Health on staffing and logistics to strengthen laboratory services nationwide.
The International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science Day is celebrated annually on April 15 to highlight the critical role of laboratory professionals in healthcare delivery.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana