Let’s build resilient labs for healthier Ghana -Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo’s call to action at 2025 GAMLS Nat’l Congress

A Gathering of Science and Purpose

The bustling city of Tamale played host to an assembly of the nation’s medical laboratory scientists as the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) convened its Annual National Congress. The event, graced by the Minister of Health, sister professional associations, partners, and students, was more than a meeting—it was a movement.

In his address, Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo, President of GAMLS, set a resolute tone for the congress themed “Enhancing Laboratory Resilience: Combating Emerging Infectious Diseases and AMR through Emerging Technologies, Collaboration, and Research.”

“It is with immense gratitude and deep pride that I stand before you,” Dr. Aidoo began, emphasizing the congress as a space for “cross-fertilization of ideas” and reaffirmation of the profession’s vital role in Ghana’s health system.

Learning from the Past, Preparing for the Future

Reflecting on recent global health crises, Dr. Aidoo revisited the lessons from Ebola, COVID-19, and the growing menace of antimicrobial resistance (AMR). Each, he said, has exposed the fragility of health systems and reaffirmed the laboratory’s place as “the first line of defense and often the last hope.”

“During COVID-19,” he reminded the audience, “it was our laboratories that confirmed cases, tracked variants, and provided data that guided national policy.” Yet, he warned, the challenge persists: AMR is “silently eroding the effectiveness of common antibiotics,” threatening decades of medical progress.

Progress and Persistent Gaps

Dr. Aidoo lauded the strides made by Ghanaian laboratories in infrastructure, human resource development, and international accreditation. Teaching hospitals are evolving into centers of excellence, he noted. However, he cautioned that “the story is uneven.”

“Many district and rural facilities remain under-resourced,” he lamented, pointing to weaknesses in quality management systems, supply chain reliability, and financing. He called for laboratories to be seen not as cost centers but as vital investments in health security.

Building True Laboratory Resilience

Addressing the congress’s central theme, Dr. Aidoo redefined resilience beyond equipment and buildings. “Resilience is about systems, people, and governance,” he declared.

He urged the government to invest in modern diagnostic technologies, including molecular platforms, point-of-care testing, and digital tools—anchored in sustainability and quality assurance.

Emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and genomic sequencing, he said, are no longer luxuries but necessities if Ghana is to anticipate and respond effectively to future pandemics.

Empowering Scientists, Financing the System

At the heart of resilience, Dr. Aidoo stressed, are the people—the scientists. He called for advanced training opportunities, postgraduate pathways, and leadership recognition for laboratory scientists in national health policy.

“The lifeblood of any effective system is sustainable financing,” he continued, announcing GAMLS’s engagement with policymakers to reimagine health financing. He repeated the Association’s proposal to ring-fence laboratory revenues as a mechanism for stability and growth.

Collaboration Beyond Rhetoric

Dr. Aidoo emphasized that collaboration should not remain a buzzword. True partnership, he said, means structured engagement with clinicians, pharmacists, epidemiologists, and policymakers.

He also called for regional cooperation through ECOWAS and WAPCMLS to harmonize standards and bolster West Africa’s collective resilience against pandemics and AMR.

Confronting the Silent Pandemic—AMR

Perhaps the most urgent section of Dr. Aidoo’s speech was his call to intensify Ghana’s response to antimicrobial resistance. He described AMR as “the greatest health threat of our generation,” highlighting the laboratory’s pivotal role in culture testing, surveillance, and antibiotic stewardship.

“The laboratory is central in this fight,” he said. “But we cannot fight AMR alone. We need policymakers to invest, clinicians to respect test results, and communities to understand that antibiotics are not cures for every ailment.”

He urged government to scale up the National AMR Action Plan with laboratories placed at its center.

Championing Policy, Research, and Employment

Dr. Aidoo reaffirmed GAMLS’s leadership in policy advocacy, research, and continuous professional development. He revealed ongoing initiatives to enhance laboratory quality management and integrate laboratory perspectives into national health dialogue.

He also addressed a growing concern: unemployment among laboratory scientists.
“Our training institutions have produced over three thousand professionals who have not been engaged by government,” he disclosed, calling for urgent financial clearance to absorb these graduates into the health system.

Fixing the Supply Chain and System Inefficiencies

Turning his attention to health system inefficiencies, Dr. Aidoo called for a comprehensive review of Ghana’s health supply chain. He criticized procurement bottlenecks that make laboratory operations unstable.

“While laboratory services are self-sustaining in terms of cost, our procurement system has made many laboratories unstable,” he warned. He urged government to reset procurement mechanisms to prevent inflated prices and ensure affordable, sustainable testing—key to the fight against AMR.

A Vision for the Future

Dr. Aidoo painted a hopeful vision of the future—a Ghana where every citizen has access to reliable and affordable laboratory services, where laboratories are recognized as the backbone of health security, and where scientists are innovators shaping Africa’s health future.

“This is not a dream,” he affirmed. “It is within our reach, but only if we commit, collaborate, and act boldly.”

A Call to the Next Generation

In his closing remarks, Dr. Aidoo turned to the young scientists and students present. “You are the future,” he told them. “Dream big, work hard, and never underestimate the power of science to transform society.”

He urged them to remain professional, innovative, and committed to uplifting the image of medical laboratory science in Ghana.

As applause filled the conference hall, his message resonated clearly: resilience is not built by chance but by choice—and by collective action.

Conclusion: Building Health Security, One Test at a Time

The 2025 GAMLS Congress in Tamale was not merely an academic gathering—it was a declaration of intent.
From financing reforms to embracing innovation, from empowering scientists to fighting AMR, Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo’s address challenged Ghana’s health sector to place laboratories where they truly belong—at the heart of healthcare and national resilience.