Role of allied health professionals in effective service delivery

Under no circumstance should the role of any professional in the health service delivery value chain be discounted, says Professor E. Tsiri Agbenyaga, Provost of the College of Health Sciences at the KNUST.

He says every service provider in the sector – especially those not in the frontlines like doctors, nurses and pharmacists – has a significant role to play, hence must be accorded due recognition.

He spoke on the theme “Delivering Safe and Effective Practice and Healthcare: The Role of the Allied Health Professionals” at the induction ceremony for allied health interns in Kumasi.

Allied health professionals – including optical technicians, laboratory technicians and assistants and physiotherapy assistants – constitute about 60 percent of the total health workforce in Ghana.

They provide diagnostic, preventive, therapeutic, rehabilitative and supportive care across the range of health services.

Prof. Agbenyaga observed that the contributions of some health professionals may not be acknowledged, the most important thing is to meet the expectation of patients.

He particularly referred to the importance of the medical laboratory specialists in disease diagnosis for preventive purposes.

Acting Registrar of the Allied Health Professions Council, Dr. Clement Opoku-Okrah, enjoined the interns to search for improved and better ways of managing health for the betterment of clients and the population.

He also appealed to government ease the long period it takes to employed graduates after their internship programme.

Ashanti regional minister, Dr. Samuel Sarpong observed the need to build capacity of health professionals “in providing essential preventive and treatment services”.

“Government recognizes the important of allied health services and has dedicated a portion of its research and programming interest to understanding and addressing the needs of those professionals in the nation,” he stated.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh

Ghana celebrates International Biomedical Laboratory Scientists Day

Today, April 15 is the International Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (BLS) Day and the theme for this year is "ETHICS".

The Ghana Association of Biomedical Laboratory Scientists (GABMLS) is joining the rest of the international community to celebrate the Day, with an event in the Western Regional Capital, Takoradi.

In the Ashanti region, the Association is engaging the media to educate the public on the significance of the Day and the important role played by Biomedical Scientists in providing quality healthcare for patients.

A statement signed by Prince Sodoke Amuzu, President of GABMLS, described Biomedical Laboratory Scientists as one of the largest groups of healthcare professionals, who work “behind the scenes” to provide the critical information needed by the clinicians to make precise diagnosis, aid treatment of patients and in disease surveillance.

It however noted that “this critical role is largely under-valued by patients, the community and even colleagues within healthcare as they all appear to have a poor appreciation of the vital role played by Biomedical Laboratory Scientists in the healthcare delivery process”.

The Association has identified some structural challenges as common sources of ethical dilemmas that confront laboratory scientists; including low tariffs of the National Health Insurance Scheme, observing that “the common problem of logistical constraint compel some practitioners to re-use test tubes, knowing that all those tests conducted with re-used tubes could have the results compromised”.

Other challenges include the absence of medical laboratory personnel on management and procurement teams in health institutions and facilities; the influx of cheap and sub-standard laboratory equipment, reagents and other supplies on the market; and lack of quality management systems in such facilities.

The GABMLS has resolved to pursue steps that will ensure that the general public is protected against unethical laboratory practices, as well as seek to provide social and bio security for all Biomedical Laboratory Scientists.

According to the statement, “the leadership of GABMLS shall actively seek to engage the National Health Insurance Authority in serious dialogue for a review of the bundle and capitation modules as relates the provision of medical laboratory services”.

All medical laboratory suppliers are also to be registered and their products indexed accordingly by the professional body, whilst members of the Association “will be engaged in regular Continuous Professional Development programs to sensitize them on the need to conform to acceptable professional standards, and embark on a crusade against unethical practices among practitioners across the country”.

Story by Kofi Adu Domfeh