GAMLS urges gov’t to prioritise purpose-built laboratories ahead of Free Primary Healthcare

The Ghana Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (GAMLS) has called on the government to prioritize the construction of purpose-built laboratory facilities alongside the implementation of Ghana's Free Primary Healthcare policy. National President of GAMLS, Dr Eric Kofi Aidoo, lamented that the country's laboratory system has been neglected for years, with inadequate laboratory spaces in many health facilities.

This has led to laboratories being converted from existing stores and toilets, compromising laboratory quality, biosafety, workflow, and the accuracy of diagnostic results. Dr Aidoo urged the government to incorporate properly designed and equipped laboratories into the architectural planning of all health facilities, especially at the primary healthcare level.

Prof Samuel Asamoah Sakyi, delivering the keynote address at the GAMLS Ashanti Regional Congress and Scientific Conference, emphasized the need for "diagnostic sovereignty" - the ability of Ghana to produce, maintain, and innovate its own diagnostic solutions. He stressed that diagnostics, which account for over 70% of clinical decision-making, are essential to the success of the Free Primary Healthcare program.

Prof Sakyi called for investments in local production of diagnostic reagents, equipment servicing and calibration, laboratory information systems, molecular diagnostics, and quality-control materials. He also urged medical laboratory scientists to actively participate in health policy and decision-making processes.