Biomedical scientists urged to rid practice of quacks
Mr Samuel Yaw Adusei, Deputy Ashanti Regional Minister has urged members of the Ghana Association of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (GABMLS) to be proactive and collaborate with the security agencies to rid the medical laboratory practice of quacks.
He described the current medical laboratory practice in the country as ‘galamsey’ where all manners of people had found engagement and said the Regional Coordinating Council (RCC) was very concerned about the activities of such people in the region.
It is important for the leadership of GABMLS to work to ensure that every medical laboratory was manned and supervised by qualified practitioners.
Mr Adusei made the call at the 2013 annual regional congress and scientific conference of the regional branch of GABMLS in Kumasi on Friday.
The event was under the theme: “Upholding ethical standards and promoting quality medical laboratory practice in Ghana”.
Mr Adusei said the outcome of laboratory investigations was vital to quality health care delivery and practitioners should be professionals with the requisite knowledge and skills to conduct investigations and come out with absolute results to promote appropriate diagnoses and treatment of diseases.
The Deputy Minister said promoting quality practice went along with ethical standards and appealed to practitioners to exhibit a high sense of professionalism and ethics at all times.
He said the government was doing everything possible to address the challenges in the health sector and biomedical scientists had the duty to play their roles effectively to support the government.
Dr Samuel Duh, Country Director, Global Health Systems Solutions (GHSS), said without quality medical laboratory practice, there could not be quality medical care adding that without upholding ethical standards too, there could not be quality laboratory practice.
He advised biomedical scientists to demonstrate commitment, hard work and dedication at their work places at all times.
Mr Prince Sodoke Amuzu, National President of GABMLS, said with the passage of the Allied Health Law, medical laboratory practice was now being regulated and that practitioners would require license to practice.
He appealed to members of the Association to register and receive their professional licenses to help eliminate the quacks in the profession.
Mr Thomas Kwabena Gyampomah, Ashanti Regional Chairman of GABMLS, said members were poised to continuously educate themselves on professional ethical behaviours and address challenges that impinged on their professional integrity and public image.
Source: GNA