The Korle-Bu Chapter of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists has formally declared its intent to resist any attempts to discredit the profession or its practitioners.
During an appearance on the Frontline programme on Rainbow Radio 87.5FM, General Secretary Dr Abdul Hakam Abubakar asserted that the association is fully aware of an ongoing “hidden agenda” directed against them.
He explained that there have been long-standing tensions within the sector, including concerns regarding doctors who refer patients to private laboratories for personal financial gain—an issue he noted is not a recent development.
Dr Abubakar emphasised that if genuine scientific errors occur, the association maintains clear internal mechanisms to address and correct them.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the profession to its standards, stating: “We will continue to defend our work and the integrity of our profession.”
Addressing the host, Kwabena Agyapong, Dr Abubakar dismissed claims that the quality of laboratory results is deteriorating as entirely false.
He highlighted that the laboratory services at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital are certified under international standards, with operations guided by rigorous quality control systems established over decades of practice.
He clarified that the staff are not robots but highly trained professionals dedicated to providing the public with reliable diagnostic data.
“If anyone has concerns, they should address them properly, not misrepresent our work,” he stated. “We stand by the credibility of our results, and any attempt to tarnish our image will be strongly resisted.”
When questioned on the gravity of doctors doubting laboratory results, Dr Abubakar declared that there are ulterior motives behind the current narrative. He argued that the primary objective is to transfer the leadership of the laboratory to the medical profession, specifically to allow “so-called lab physicians” to take control. He noted that this move is being contested because medical laboratory scientists are regulated under the Allied Health Professions Act (Act 857).
He insisted that their demands are rooted in law, explaining that since they are regulated by the Allied Health Professions Council, they cannot allow an individual who does not fall under that specific regulation to oversee their affairs.
While Dr Abubakar maintained that the association is ready to collaborate with other health professionals, he was adamant that they would not permit any other professional body to lead them.
He confirmed that the department is currently headed by a medical laboratory scientist and warned that any attempt to change this arrangement would be met with resistance.
“From our side, we know we have a Head of Department who is a medical laboratory scientist,” he concluded. “Our status quo remains the same: we are calling for collaboration. We are not against collaborating with them to work. But regarding headship, we are calling on them to make sure it is only a medical laboratory scientist who heads us, and we won’t allow any other professional to lead us.”
By: Rainbowradioonline.com/Ghana
