40 Out of 640 Doctor of Medical Laboratory Scientists Not in Good Standing — AHPC Registrar Calls for Urgent Licence Renewal
The Registrar of the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC), Prof. Shiraz Issahaku, has raised concern over the number of Doctor of Medical Laboratory Scientists who have failed to maintain their professional standing, revealing that 40 out of the 640 practitioners currently on the Council’s register are not in good standing.
Addressing participants at the 5th Annual General Meeting of the Society of Medical Laboratory Managers, Ghana (SMLM‑G) in Accra on Thursday, July 23, 2026, Prof. Issahaku underscored the importance of licence renewal and regulatory compliance in safeguarding professional standards and patient safety.
“Currently on our register, we have 640 Doctor of Medical Laboratory Scientists in Ghana. Forty of them are not in good standing,” he disclosed.
He explained that maintaining good standing with the regulatory authority is a fundamental requirement for legal professional practice and serves as an assurance to the public that healthcare practitioners remain competent, accountable, and compliant with established standards.
The AHPC Registrar urged affected professionals to take immediate steps to regularize their status, warning that failure to renew licences and meet professional obligations could have regulatory consequences.
“Professional licence renewal is not merely an administrative exercise; it is a statutory requirement that demonstrates a practitioner’s commitment to ethical practice, continuous professional development, and patient safety,” he stated.
Prof. Issahaku further called on healthcare institutions and laboratory managers to verify the licensing status of practitioners working within their facilities, stressing that employers also have a responsibility to ensure regulatory compliance.
“Ensure, as managers, that those who are actually practising in the laboratory are people who are trained to do so. What they do there may cost your job,” he cautioned.
According to him, the Council remains committed to strengthening professional regulation across the allied health sector and will continue to work with professional bodies and employers to improve compliance levels.
The disclosure comes at a time when stakeholders in the medical laboratory profession are advocating stronger regulatory enforcement, improved workforce planning, and greater investment in laboratory services to support quality healthcare delivery in Ghana.
Medical laboratory scientists play a critical role in disease diagnosis, treatment monitoring, blood transfusion services, outbreak response, and public health surveillance. Industry experts maintain that ensuring practitioners remain duly licensed and in good standing is essential to protecting patients and maintaining confidence in the healthcare system.
Prof. Issahaku also encouraged practitioners to embrace continuing professional development programmes and remain abreast of evolving standards in healthcare practice.
The AHPC is the statutory body mandated to regulate allied health professions in Ghana, including the licensing, accreditation, and professional oversight of practitioners to ensure the delivery of safe and quality healthcare services to the public.