GAMLS calls on gov’t, academia private sector partners to help enhance lab resilience, global health security

COMMUNIQUÉ ISSUED AT THE END OF THE 2025 ANNUAL NATIONAL CONGRESS AND SCIENTIFIC CONFERENCE

Held from 29th October to 1st November 2025 at the Sanctuary of Wind and Fire Assemblies of God Church Conference Hall, Tamale, Northern Region
Theme: “Enhancing Laboratory Resilience: Combating Emerging Infectious Diseases and AMR through Emerging Technologies, Collaboration, and Research.”

Preamble

The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS), established under the Professional Bodies Registration Decree (NRCD 143 of 1973) with registration number PB-2, is the sole professional body representing Medical Laboratory Scientists in Ghana.

The Annual National Congress and Scientific Conference remains the Association’s highest decision-making platform. It brings together professionals to share scientific insights, deliberate on national and global health matters, and elect officers to steer the Association’s affairs.

The 2025 Congress, held in Tamale, was chaired by Yoo Naa Yakubu Andani Abdulai, Chief of Savelugu. The event was graced by the Director-General of the Ghana Health Service, the Northern Regional Minister, and the Minister for Health (Guest of Honour). The keynote address was delivered by Professor Japheth A. Opintan, who emphasized the central role of laboratories in national health security.

Deliberations

During the four-day Congress, participants deliberated on several critical issues, including:

1. Emerging Technologies: The role of artificial intelligence, genomics, and point-of-care diagnostics in strengthening laboratory capacity for detecting and managing emerging infectious diseases and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
2. Collaboration: The need for intersectoral collaboration among government, healthcare providers, academia, and industry to build sustainable laboratory systems.
3. Research and Innovation: Emphasis on continuous research, innovation, and development of new diagnostics, treatments, and vaccines.
4. Professionalism and Ethics: The importance of maintaining high ethical standards to safeguard patient safety.
5. Health Financing: The necessity of sustainable financing models for both public and private laboratories.
6. Employment Challenges: Concerns about unemployment among laboratory scientists and its impact on mental health.
7. Workforce Development: The need for continuous professional development and stronger regulatory oversight.

Observations

Congress made the following key observations:

1. Ghana’s medical microbiology capacity remains inadequate for effective AMR surveillance.
2. Establishing a Medical Laboratory Coordination Unit within the Ministry of Health would strengthen national laboratory systems.
3. Local production of reagents, consumables, and laboratory equipment would improve sustainability, patient safety, and public health outcomes.
4. Though professional conduct has improved, there is a need for renewed ethical commitment, especially regarding impartiality.
5. NHIS inefficiencies and politicized procurement processes are undermining laboratory sustainability and service quality.
6. The Ghana Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science is yet to be established, limiting opportunities for specialist training.
7. The Allied Health Professions Council has not fully enforced regulatory oversight for medical laboratory practice in Ghana.

Resolutions

In light of these deliberations and observations, Congress resolved as follows:

1. Strengthen Medical Microbiology Capacity:
   The Ministry of Health and partners should invest in microbiology infrastructure and personnel training for robust AMR surveillance.
2. Establish a Medical Laboratory Coordination Unit:
   The Ministry of Health should create a dedicated unit to coordinate and strengthen laboratory services nationwide.
3. Support Local Production:
   The government should incentivize local production of diagnostic reagents, medical supplies, and technologies to promote sustainability and job creation.
4. Uphold Professional Ethics:
   Members of GAMLS reaffirm their commitment to the profession’s ethical code, emphasizing integrity, impartiality, and professionalism.
5. Reform NHIS Financing and Supply Chains:
   The government should review NHIS reimbursement and procurement models to enhance laboratory service delivery. All public sector laboratory procurements must be transparent, merit-based, and free from political interference, prioritizing patient safety and service quality.
6. Dedicated Accounts for Laboratories:
   Establish specific budget lines for medical laboratories to improve preparedness for public health emergencies and AMR response.
7. Promote Laboratory Leadership:
   Medical Laboratory Scientists should be included in health facility management teams to enhance evidence-based decision-making.
8. Establish the Ghana Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Science:
   The government should expedite its establishment to bridge the specialist training gap.
9. Strengthen Regulation:
   The government should accelerate efforts to establish a Medical Laboratory Science Council to ensure effective professional oversight and uphold ethical and safety standards.
10. Address Employment and Training Issues:
    The government should absorb unemployed laboratory scientists and streamline admission quotas in training institutions to maintain quality standards.

Conclusion

The 2025 Annual Congress of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists reaffirmed the Association’s commitment to advancing laboratory medicine in Ghana through innovation, collaboration, and ethical professionalism.

GAMLS calls on all stakeholders—government, academia, and private sector partners—to support efforts that will enhance the nation’s laboratory resilience and contribute to global health security.

Signed:
Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo (FWAPCMLS) – President
📞 0244622356

Dr. Solomon D.Y. Kwashie (FWAPCMLS) – General Secretary
📞 0242364175

Dated: 1st November 2025

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