Enforce laws on laboratory practice—Ohene Adjei

Kumasi, Dec. 18, GNA – Professor Ohene Adjei, Deputy Director of the Kumasi Centre for Collaborative Research (KCCR), has called for the enforcement of laws regulating the practice of health laboratories in the country.

He said frequent reported cases of unprofessional conduct by some laboratory practitioners highlighted the need for vigorous enforcement of laws and regulations to promote ethical conduct and professionalism in the practice.

Professor Adjei made the call at the inaugural workshop for the institution of continuous professional development programme for the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital’s Laboratory Scientists Association (KALSA) in Kumasi.

Speaking on the topic “professional ethics in medical laboratory practice”, Professor Adjei mentioned forging of laboratory results, disclosing of confidential reports to third parties and collecting bribes before tests were conducted as some of the bad practices that were compromising the integrity of laboratory scientists and advised them to abide by the ethics and code of conduct of their profession.

Professor Adjei held that of late, there has been questions on the activities of some laboratory personnel and urged them to accept their shortcomings in good faith and put measures in place to address them.

He also urged them to always keep themselves abreast with the scientific advancement in their profession in order to provide quality service to the people.

Mr Ernest Abotsi, Lecturer at the Faculty of Law of the KNUST, who spoke on “Medico-Legal issues in medical laboratory practice”, said increasing awareness of the rights of the people, as well as the introduction of the National Health Insurance Act and the Patient Chatter, called for efficient professional conduct on the part of healthcare providers to avoid legal battles.

He advised them to always notify patients on the range of options available to enable them make a choice, while at the same time keeping laboratory results private and confidential.

Dr P.E Karikari, Medical Director of KATH, said laboratory practice was always changing and there was the need for professionals to develop their skills regularly to meet the challenges.

He urged the practitioners to undertake regular research to improve their skills in order to help the hospital provide quality health care delivery to the people.

GNA