The Unsung Heroes of Ghana’s Healthcare System: Laboratory Managers Demand Recognition
For over fifty years, medical laboratory scientists have faithfully served Ghana’s healthcare system, yet they continue to be treated as mere support staff. This sentiment was echoed by Dr. Sackey at the Society of Medical Laboratory Managers-Ghana Annual General Meeting 2025, themed “Medical Laboratory Managers’ Involvement in the Core Management; A Necessity In Restructuring Healthcare Delivery in Ghana.” Dr.David S. Sackey,the Executive Board Chairman of the Society of Medical Laboratory Mangers-Ghana ( SMLM-G) declared, “Laboratory managers belong at the decision-making table, not on the sidelines.”
The Critical Role of Laboratory Managers
Laboratory managers are the backbone of Ghana’s healthcare system, generating over 70% of essential diagnostic data. Despite their importance, they are often left out of strategic and operational leadership, leading to serious systemic failures. Dr. Sackey highlighted the consequences of this exclusion, including:
– *Delays in procuring vital consumables*: Laboratory managers are essential in ensuring that laboratories are well-equipped to perform tests and provide accurate results.
– *Broken diagnostic equipment left unused*: Without laboratory managers in leadership positions, equipment may not be properly maintained, leading to unnecessary delays and risks to patients.
– *Unnecessary risks to patients*: The exclusion of laboratory managers from decision-making processes can have serious consequences for patient care and safety.
A Profession Evolved
The medical laboratory science profession has evolved significantly over the years. No longer limited to bench work, laboratory professionals now include advanced practitioners, such as Doctors of Medical Laboratory Science and specialized consultants. These professionals are capable of leading institutions and shaping national health policy.
A Step in the Right Direction
According to Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo, President of GAMLS, the Ghana Health and Teaching Hospitals Act 1996 (Act 525) as amended, includes provisions for allied health professionals, such as Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), to be represented on the board of Teaching Hospitals. However, the Hospital Management Committee has yet to integrate the Laboratory Clinical Unit into its management operations, leaving a significant gap in the governance of healthcare practice.
A Call to Action
Dr. Gloria Amegatcher, Public Relations Officer of GAMLS, emphasized that laboratory managers are central to transforming healthcare in Ghana. They:
– *Ensure accurate diagnostics*: Laboratory managers oversee the testing process, ensuring that results are accurate and reliable.
– *Uphold quality standards*: They implement quality control measures, maintaining the highest standards in laboratory testing.
– *Lead lab systems and teams*: Laboratory managers supervise teams of laboratory professionals, ensuring that testing is carried out efficiently and effectively.
– *Generate critical data*: They oversee the collection and analysis of data, providing valuable insights for healthcare policy and decision-making.
To build an effective healthcare system, laboratory managers must be recognized for their critical role and included in decision-making processes. It is time to acknowledge their importance and bring them to the table, where they can contribute to evidence-based policies and impactful health reforms.
The Society of Medical Laboratory Managers, Ghana’s Annual General Meeting 2025, which took place from July 24th to 25th, 2025, provided a platform for laboratory managers to discuss their role in restructuring healthcare delivery in Ghana. The conference highlighted the need for laboratory managers to be involved in core management decisions to ensure the delivery of quality healthcare services.
