GAMLS marks IFBLS Day with call for government support and better conditions for laboratory scientists

The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) recently marked the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS) Day with a public lecture themed “Biomedical Laboratory Scientists Promoting Sustainability in Clinical Diagnostics.”

The event underscored the pivotal role of laboratory professionals in enhancing Ghana’s healthcare system.

Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo, President of GAMLS, voiced deep concerns over the government’s neglect of medical laboratory scientists. He highlighted that for the past four to five years, newly trained laboratory professionals have not received postings, leading to a significant brain drain as many seek better opportunities abroad.

Dr. Aidoo emphasized that inadequate remuneration and poor working conditions are driving these professionals away, which could compromise the quality of diagnostic services in the country.

” Since 2020, the government has not employed any medical lab scientists. We talk about 15,000 nurses being employed without even one medical lab scientist, but we work in the same health space, we will feel neglected. So most of our people are living because we sit in the labs, which are not well-resourced working environments.”

The director of Allied Health Professionals at the Ministry of Health, Dr. Ignatius Nichor Abowini Awinibuno, who represented the minister, acknowledged the challenges faced by medical laboratory scientists and introduced the “Mahama Cares” initiative as a measure to address some of these issues.

Launched in March 2025, the Ghana Medical Care Trust Fund, known as Mahama Cares, aims to provide financial support to individuals suffering from chronic and debilitating illnesses, ensuring equitable access to healthcare services. While this initiative primarily targets patient care, the Ministry expressed hope that it would indirectly benefit laboratory professionals by improving the overall healthcare infrastructure.

He also advises the laboratory scientists to inculcate modern technology in their field of work. “There’s a need for us to incorporate technology, digitalization, and artificial intelligence in the laboratory practice, to make the service work more sustainable, easier, and cheaper to manage than we currently are. all these are tools that we must reflect on and try to make a clear diagnosis, more sustainable, on this very special day”.

GAMLS also launched the inaugural Medical Laboratory Science Professionalism Month, a campaign designed to reinforce ethical standards and professional excellence among laboratory scientists.

Dr. Aidoo stated that this initiative seeks to inspire professionals to uphold integrity, accountability, and continuous learning, thereby strengthening Ghana’s healthcare system.

Despite these efforts, Dr. Aidoo reiterated the urgent need for direct government intervention to address the specific challenges faced by medical laboratory scientists. He called for immediate postings for graduates, improved working conditions, and competitive remuneration to retain skilled professionals within the country.

The IFBLS Day celebration served as a platform for GAMLS to highlight the critical contributions of laboratory scientists to healthcare delivery and to advocate for the necessary support to sustain and enhance their role in clinical diagnostics.

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