Biomedical lab scientists hail new law to regulate practice

The issue of quacks in Ghana's biomedical laboratory practice will be curtailed with the enactment of the Health Professions Regulatory Bodies Act 2011.

President Mahama has accented to the Act, with a legislative instrument expected to be fashioned out soon. This means biomedical laboratory scientists will require a license to practice regardless the height of academic, business, economic or political influence.

The Ghana Association Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (GABMLS) is excited at the development, as the law brings the needed impetus to start the crusade against sub-standard practice in our country.

Ashanti Regional Chairman of the Association, Thomas Kwabena Gyapomah says it is a strong signal for quacks in biomedical laboratory practice to stay off the profession.

'If you don't have the requisite qualification and you are in the lab, it's better to pack out because the law will now catch up with you', he stated. 'Once the system has been sanitized, if you go into any private laboratory or hospital laboratory, you are going to meet qualified persons and such persons should be able to deliver quality results'.

The Association, collaboration with BD-Diagnostics, is set educate its members on the new law at its 2013 regional congress and Scientific Conference holding in Kumasi on Friday.

Mr. Gyapomah says issues of ethics and quality will engage the attention of the congress on the theme: 'Upholding Ethical Standards & Promoting Quality Medical Laboratory Practice in Ghana'.

Biomedical Laboratory Scientists are entrusted with the onerous assignment of providing quality diagnosis that is at the centre of treatment and management of diseases.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh