Fast track negotiation on our conditions of service –SMLMG Board Chair to gov’t

Board Chairman of the Society of Medical Laboratory Managers Ghana, Dr. David Sebbie Sackey has urged the government to address the issue of codified conditions of service for laboratory professionals in the country to prevent labour agitations. He emphasized the importance of equipping laboratories to deliver quality services and achieve universal health coverage.

Dr. David Sebbie Sackey, Board Chairman Society of Medical Laboratory Managers Ghana

Dr. Sackey also called for the employment of newly trained lab professionals to increase staff strength. Dr. Sackey reiterated the plea for government intervention, emphasizing the lack of codified conditions of service for laboratory professionals in the country.

During the Annual General Meeting of the Society in Accra, Dr. Sackey criticized the Fair Wages and Salaries Commission for their slow response to the issue, leading to growing labour unrest by lab professionals. He emphasized the need for quality systems for lab professionals to address competency gaps and improve management.

Dr. Abu Abudu Rahamani, President of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists, emphasized the importance of effective and efficient lab service delivery through proper scope management for lab technical assistants. According to him, the lab managers must ensure that technical assistants work within their scope to achieve efficient and effective service delivery.

Contributing to the debate, Dr. Ignatius N. A Awinibuno, Chief Programme Officer of Allied Health at the Ministry of Health, called on lab managers to advocate for challenges facing lab professionals with scientific data to support their claims. According to him, it is needful for sector Ministry to work with demands backed by scientific data ftom lab managers. The former GAMLS President  wants lab managers to lead advocacy on challenges confronting lab scientists backed by scientific data.

Professor Alex Dodoo, Director-General of the Ghana Standard Authority, called for a national dialogue on equity for all health professionals and assured government’s commitment to address the concerns of lab scientists. Professor Dodoo ensured government’s commitment to address concerns and emphasized the importance of quality health care delivery by lab scientists. An emergency meeting was later convened by the lab managers to discuss challenges in lab practice at various hospitals.

The Annual General Meeting theme for 2024 is focused on the role of the Laboratory Manager in a resource-challenged setting. Lab managers in public hospitals have urged the government to expedite negotiations on their conditions of service due to the impact of delayed conclusion on their remuneration. This issue has led to simmering agitations in the health sector.

Lab scientists had previously declared a nationwide strike over the delay in negotiations, leading to a meeting with the National Labour Commission. Despite directives to conclude negotiations, an agreement has not yet been reached, causing frustration among lab professionals.

Dr. Eric Aidoo, Head of the Ashanti Region branch of lab scientists, expressed concern over members resigning due to worsening conditions of service in Ghana.

The issue of standardization, fixing competency gaps and effective management start with having quality systems for the lab professionals. Contributing to the debate, CEO of FLOKE FAMA Teye Kwabena Kenney said lab professionals must be supported to improve quality standards.