Create Medical Lab Science Council now – GAMLS to Health Minister

Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has called on the Minister for Health to as a matter of urgency initiate steps for the creation of a Medical Laboratory Science Council as the Allied Health Professions Council is overburdened and not effective in its mandates leaking to quackery in the industry. Apart from that, the association has also called on the Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Health to take immediate steps to
establish a Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science that will lead the training of specialists for the profession to ensure highest quality of service provision.

GAMLS in a communique signed and issued by its President Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo and General Secretary Dr. Solomon D.Y Kwashie at the end of its 2024 Annual National Congress and Scientific Conference at Sunyani said “GAMLS calls on the Minister for Health to as a matter of urgency initiate steps for the creation of a Medical Laboratory Science Council as the Allied Health Professions Council is overburdened and not effective in its mandates leaking to quackery in the industry. Medical Laboratory Science Professionals remain committed to providing quality medical laboratory testing, reporting, consultative and interpretative services to all clients to ensure good public health and safety by relying on current and new technologies. The Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Health should take immediate steps to establish a Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science that will lead the training of specialists for the profession to ensure highest quality of service provision”.

Read the full communique

COMMUNIQUE ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2024 ANNUAL NATIONAL AND
SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE OF THE GHANA ASSOCIATION OF MEDICAL
LABORATORY SCIENTISTS (GAMLS) HELD FROM THE 6TH TO 9TH NOVEMBER
2024 AT THE EUSBETT HOTEL, SUNYANI, IN THE BONO REGION ON THE
THEME: “ENHANCING MEDICAL LABORATORY PRACTICE THROUGH INNOVATIVE
TECHNOLOGIES”

Preamble
The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) is the sole Professional Body for all Medical Laboratory professionals in Ghana, registered in accordance with the Professional Bodies Registration Decree, NRCD 143 of 1973 with registration number PB-2 on
25th July 1973.

The Annual National Congress and Scientific Conference is the highest decision-making body and the biggest national platform where members of the Profession share knowledge and expertise and deliberate on topical issues of national and global interest. The Annual National Congress and Scientific Conference is also a time to pause and evaluate our professional and scientific works, chart new paths towards improving the quality of medical  laboratory and health care services in Ghana and the West African Region and elect National officers for the professional body.
Medical Laboratory Science Professionals in Ghana met at the EUSBETT HOTEL, SUNYANI, Bono Region of Ghana, for the 2024 Annual National Congress and Scientific Conference from Wednesday, 6th to Saturday 9th November 2024, under the distinguished Chairmanship of
Osagefo Oseadeeyo Agyeman-Badu II, President of Bono Regional House of Chiefs and Paramount Chief of Dormaa Traditional Area with the theme: “ENHANCING MEDICAL LABORATORY PRACTICE THROUGH INNOVATIVE TECHNOLOGIES”.

The Congress was graced by the Bono Regional Minister as Guest of Honour, and Dr. Laud Anthony Basing was the keynote speaker. And having among other things:

1. Deliberated on technologies in Ghana’s medical laboratory science practice to ensure
patient safety and quality health outcomes.

2. Explored our preparedness for cutting-edge technologies as tools for efficient medical
laboratory science practice in Ghana through specialized professional education.
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3. Discussed the regulatory gaps created by the inefficiencies of the Allied Health
Professions Council which is contributing to quackery and endangering patient safety.

4. Identified challenges and opportunities for improving laboratory services through
innovation.

5. Discussed the importance of incorporating technological advancement training in medical
laboratory science education.

6. Discussed the need for government to support local medical laboratory technological
start-ups to create jobs and employment.

7. Discussed the legal and ethical considerations of technologies in healthcare.

8. Discussed the need for effective regulation of the practice of medical laboratory science,
as technology is advancing, to ensure patient safety.

9. Discussed the need for enhancement of healthcare infrastructure to accommodate
emerging healthcare technologies.

10. Elected National Officers for the Profession of Medical Laboratory Science in Ghana for
the 2024 – 2026 tenure.
Made observations as follows:

1. The effective and ethical utilization of innovative technologies will support improved
patient safety and improved outcomes.

2. The urgent need for the Government and other stakeholders to help fully establish the
Ghana Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science to train specialists in
Medical Laboratory Science for Ghana.

3. 4. The medical laboratory science profession is still bedeviled with regulatory challenges as
the Allied Health Professions Council has failed to effectively regulate the practice in the
country.
The a need for effective collaborations in the health sector to ensure the ethical utilization
of technology in healthcare to ensure that profession of medical laboratory science and
the entire healthcare sector benefits from these technologies.

5. There is the need to ensure that medical laboratory professionals receive adequate
training on technologies current and emerging technologies to improve services to clients.

6. That Artificial intelligence and Machine learning provides an effective tool for healthcare
research and predictive analytics and decision-making and job avenues for the healthcare
entrepreneurs.
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7. That artificial intelligence can be a useful tool in medical laboratory quality management
system improvement, hence stakeholders must ensure effective legal regime for effective
usage accountability of technology in healthcare.

8. That the global interest in medical laboratory diagnostics provides opportunities to
advance our practice through strategic partnerships and collaborations.

9. There are infrastructure gaps to fully support deployment of healthcare technologies to
improve patient care and research.

10. The following members have been elected to lead the Association in its 2024-2026 tenure
of administration; Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo as President, MLS Samuel Kwabena Appiah as
Vice President, Dr. Solomon D.Y. Kwashie as General Secretary, and Dr. (Mrs)
Jennifer Adoley Baffoe as Financial Secretary.
Resolutions:
After thorough deliberations on the issues above, we, the members of GAMLS do hereby make
the following resolutions:

1. Medical Laboratory Science Professionals remain committed to providing quality
medical laboratory testing, reporting, consultative and interpretative services to all clients
to ensure good public health and safety by relying on current and new technologies.

2. The Government of Ghana and the Ministry of Health should take immediate steps to
establish a Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science that will lead the training
of specialists for the profession to ensure highest quality of service provision.

3. GAMLS calls on the Minister for Health to as a matter of urgency initiate steps for the
creation of a Medical Laboratory Science Council as the Allied Health Professions
Council is overburdened and not effective in its mandates leaking to quackery in the
industry.

4. GAMLS advocates for digital technology, laboratory information systems, and electronic
result delivery to enhance efficiency, accuracy, and patient safety.

5. GAMLS calls for continuous professional development programs to equip medical
laboratory professionals with skills to innovate which will eventually improve care to clients

6. GAMLS encourages research and development of Artificial intelligence and Machine
learning (AI/ML) applications in medical laboratory science to enhance predictive
analytics and decision-making and job creation opportunities.
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7. GAMLS emphasizes the importance of implementing quality management systems and
accreditation programs to ensure laboratory excellence and safeguard patient safety and
encourage professionals to adopt these technologies in system improvement.

8. GAMLS supports collaborative partnerships between government, private sector, and
international organizations to advance laboratory infrastructure and services.

9. GAMLS is ready to collaborate with government and stakeholders towards the
deployment of appropriate infrastructure and technologies to improve patient care and
research.

10. That the leadership of GAMLS is dedicated and committed to working with government
and stakeholders to improve the health outcomes of the Ghanaian people.

Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo (FWAPCMLS) Dr. Solomon D.Y. KWASHIE
(President) (General Secretary)

0244622356 0242364175

DATED: 9TH NOVEMBER 2024