Celebrating International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day: GAMLS Calls for Urgent Reforms to Enhance Healthcare Delivery

The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has emphasized the critical role of biomedical laboratory scientists in promoting sustainability in clinical testing. Speaking at the International Medical Laboratory Science Day celebration in Accra, Dr. Eric Kofi Aidoo, President of the Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS), highlighted the indispensable role of laboratory professionals in effective healthcare delivery. He underscored the critical need for a sustainable workforce and resilient infrastructure to achieve Ghana’s vision of becoming a health tourism hub.
Dr. Aidoo further appealed for realistic pricing and sustainable financing mechanisms, particularly advocating for the decoupling of medical laboratory charges from bundled health services. Commending President John Mahama for uncapping the National Health Insurance Levy, Dr. Aidoo urged the government to ring-fence funds for laboratory services and accelerate the creation of a Medical Laboratory Council to strengthen regulation and training.

Key Challenges Facing Medical Laboratory Scientists
Inadequate Funding: GAMLS is urging the government to establish a more sustainable funding mechanism to support medical laboratory services, including decoupling medical laboratory charges from other services.
Poor Working Conditions: Laboratories are poorly resourced, affecting the quality of services provided by medical lab scientists.
Brain Drain: Thousands of medical laboratory scientists have left the country due to poor remuneration, leading to a significant shortage of skilled professionals.
Call to Action
Touching on the human resource challenges within the sector, Dr. Aidoo expressed concern over the lack of recruitment since 2020, leading to excessive workloads for practicing professionals. He warned of the rising exodus of skilled laboratory scientists to Western countries due to poor remuneration and inadequate working conditions.
“If these issues are not tackled head-on, the interest in training as a Medical Laboratory Scientist will diminish,” he warned, stressing the implications for Ghana’s healthcare future.
Dr. Aidoo also proposed the establishment of a Ghana Medical Laboratory Science College in alignment with West African Health Organization (WAHO) frameworks to provide specialist training and improve professional standards.
Dr. Aidoo is urging the government to: Invest in Laboratory Infrastructure: Upgrade laboratory equipment and infrastructure to support effective medical laboratory services. Develop and Retain Skilled Professionals: Recruit unemployed medical laboratory professionals and provide opportunities for specialist training.
Foster Collaboration: Encourage collaboration between laboratories and healthcare providers to improve healthcare outcomes.
Embrace Innovative Technologies: Invest in technologies that support patient safety and public health surveillance.
By addressing these challenges and implementing these reforms, GAMLS believes that Ghana can promote sustainability in clinical testing and improve healthcare outcomes for all Ghanaians. Dr. Eric Aidoo emphasized the importance of working together to acknowledge and support medical laboratory scientists, invest in laboratory capacity building, foster innovation, and collaboration.
Dr. John Tosenu emphasizes visibility and education
In a separate address at the public lecture, Dr. John Tosenu, Greater Accra Regional Chairman of GAMLS traced the roots of IFBLS Day, established in 1996 in Oslo, Norway, to celebrate the global contributions of biomedical scientists. He emphasized the importance of innovation, education, and a motivated workforce, while calling for procurement reform and equitable financing models to ensure sustainability in clinical testing.
Policy advocacy and inspiration
Dr. Ignatius Nichor Abowini Awinibuno, Director of Allied Health Professionals, emphasized the crucial role of biomedical laboratory scientists in promoting sustainability in clinical diagnostics during the 2025 International Biomedical Laboratory Science Day celebration.
Dr. Awinibuno highlighted the government’s vision to provide free healthcare to over 50% of citizens at the primary healthcare level, emphasizing the need for laboratory services to support this initiative. Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): He pointed out that NCDs account for nearly 45% of deaths globally and in Ghana, stressing the importance of improving diagnosis and prevention. He further emphasized the need for laboratory scientists to adopt sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, maximizing resources, and incorporating technology and digitalization.
Prof. Samuel Essien-Baidoo, Chairman of the Ghana Chapter of the West Africa Postgraduate College of Medical Laboratory Scientists, called for investment in infrastructure to enhance laboratory performance nationwide

Strategies for Sustainable Laboratory Practices
Efficient Use of Resources: Laboratory scientists should aim to generate maximum output from minimum input, reducing waste and optimizing resources.
Technology and Digitalization: Incorporating artificial intelligence, digitalization, and other technologies can make laboratory services more sustainable, efficient, and cost-effective.
Patient-Centred Care: Laboratory services should prioritize patient-centred care, ensuring timely, accurate, and reliable diagnosis and treatment.
The public lecture and commemorative activities not only honored the quiet diligence of biomedical laboratory scientists but also served as a platform for advocacy, policy engagement, and community education
“Long live GAMLS, long live Ghana.” The words rang with renewed hope, echoing the sentiment that sustainable diagnostics is not just a vision — it’s a necessity