Medical Laboratory Scientists in Ghana are appealing to the government to urgently address their employment and deployment, highlighting their critical role in strengthening the country’s healthcare system.
Since 2019, many newly trained scientists have remained unemployed despite completing six years of training and a one-year internship.
Advocates warn that this neglect has left healthcare facilities—from CHPS compounds to teaching hospitals—understaffed and under-resourced, undermining efforts to deliver quality primary healthcare.
“These professionals are more than laboratory workers; they are disease detectives, researchers, and public health guardians. How can we talk about primary healthcare without properly functioning medical laboratories?” the Medical Laboratory Scientists Association stated.
The group emphasized that employing Medical Laboratory Scientists at all levels of care is essential for accurate diagnosis, effective disease management, and robust public health monitoring.
They are urging the Ministry of Health to prioritize immediate recruitment and postings to ensure laboratories are fully staffed and patients receive timely, high-quality care.
