The Greater Accra Regional branch of the Ghana National Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has called on the government to honour its campaign promise to establish a dedicated Medical Laboratory Science Council.
Regional Chairman, Dr. John Tosenu Mensah, emphasized that this council is vital for sanitizing the sector and ensuring that only qualified personnel are permitted to practice.
Speaking in an interview on Nyankonton Mu Nsem on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, Dr. Mensah highlighted the urgent need for a specialized regulatory body to oversee professional standards and service delivery.
He argued that such a council would significantly enhance the contribution of laboratory professionals to quality healthcare across the nation.
This discussion arose during an assessment of the newly launched Free Primary Healthcare Programme.
Dr. Mensah explained that the laboratory sector is composed of laboratory assistants, technical officers, scientists, and doctors of medical laboratory science.
He stressed that a dedicated council would provide the necessary oversight to regulate these diverse roles and prevent unethical practices.
While acknowledging that members are currently under the Allied Health Professions Council, he pointed out that the sheer size of the laboratory workforce necessitates an independent body for more effective regulation.
“We want to remind the government to deliver on its promise to establish the Council. The Council will sanitize the space and prevent quacks from entering. We want to regulate the sector and ensure that only qualified professionals work within it. This will also ensure that the Free Primary Healthcare Programme runs smoothly,” he stated.
Beyond regulatory concerns, the Chairman appealed to authorities to increase recruitment to staff district, regional, and teaching hospitals, as well as CHPS compounds. He noted that there has been a significant gap in the recruitment of allied health professionals since 2019, which has left many facilities understaffed.
However, he expressed optimism following the announcement that the recruitment portal would open today, Thursday, April 16, 2026, hoping it would lead to a substantial increase in laboratory personnel.
Dr. Mensah further noted that Ghana possesses highly trained experts who are recognized within the African sub-region.
“We have professors, doctors, consultants, and medical laboratory scientists, among others, and so we encourage the government to establish the Council so we can launch it. We need our own account so we can have financial autonomy and be independent in executing our activities,” he added.
He disclosed that the government has already established a working committee for this purpose, but expressed concern over the slow pace of progress, urging for more decisive action to finalize the process.
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana