Abraham Ataande

Calm,humble guy

[Abraham Ataande @ataande7]

@GameAnalyst3 0246121863

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

13/
The question therefore is why Ghana should neglect qualified Medical Laboratory Scientists and seek to deploy scarce Doctor Med/Dent specialists into laboratory operational roles already competently handled by licensed Medical Laboratory Scientists?
​At a time when many patients still suffer due to shortages of Doctors Med/Dent in clinics, theatres, emergency units, and wards, it is neither prudent nor sustainable to redirect scarce physician resources into laboratory functions already managed by trained MLS.
​The healthcare system works best when every professional operates within their area of specialization, competence, and statutory mandate.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

12/
Across Ghana, district, regional, and specialized hospitals rely heavily on the competent and licensed Medical Laboratory Scientists working tirelessly to sustain diagnostic services and support patient care and safety. This is not a deficiency. It is the established structure of modern healthcare delivery and professional task-sharing globally.
​Ghana faces shortages of Doctor Med/Dent Specialists in several critical clinical areas, but there are thousands of qualified Medical Laboratory Scientists some of whom are currently home unemployed due to lack of financial clearance for their recruitment.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

11/
​To suggest that no laboratory can function optimally without a Doctor Med/Dent physically present to sign on laboratory reports ignores reality.
​For instance, Ghana’s premiere hospital, the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital has fewer than five (5) Doctor (Med/Dent) who have been trained in laboratory results interpretation as compared to about four hundred (400) Medical Laboratory Scientists at the same facility who are available providing round-the-clock laboratory services.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

9/
Therefore, any attempt by Doctor (Med/Dent) or physicians to assume operational control and governance authority over Medical Laboratory Science practice contradicts both the spirit and letter of Act 857 and that will be firmly resisted.
​In fact, to make a further strong, evidence-based case for the Medical Laboratory Scientist, a professional whose role is distinct, indispensable, and equally critical to patient safety it is important to call a spade a spade and not a big spoon.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

7/
​The Act 857, 2013, specifically defines Medical Laboratory Science as: “the study and practice of laboratory investigations necessary for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.”
​The law expressly recognizes Medical Laboratory Scientists, Medical Laboratory Technologists, and Medical Laboratory Technicians as the professionals authorized to practice Medical Laboratory Science.
​Importantly, the same law separately defines Medicine and places Physicians and Pathologists and under the jurisdiction of the Medical and Dental Council (MDC), while Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) are regulated under the Allied Health Professions Council (AHPC).
​The law clearly distinguishes medicine from medical laboratory science. This separation is deliberate and legally significant. It emphasizes the fact that a Physician (Doctor Med/Dent), regardless of specialization, remains a Physician practicing Medicine. And a Medical Laboratory Scientist, regardless of specialization, remains a Medical Laboratory Scientist practicing Medical Laboratory Science

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

6/

The Doctor Med/Dent confirm diagnoses or otherwise based on results from the laboratory findings; Medical Laboratory Scientists generate, validate, quality-control, and guarantee the reliability of the laboratory report.
​However, the ability of a Doctor Med/Dent to interpret a laboratory report does not automatically confer competence in laboratory operations or the Doctor Med/Dent for technical supervision, governance, quality management, accreditation administration, or operational leadership of medical laboratory systems.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

5/
Doctor Med/Dent practices Medicine or Dentistry, and Medical Laboratory Scientists practice Medical Laboratory Science. These are two distinct professions. Their roles are complementary but not interchangeable.
​The body of knowledge, scope of practice, training, licensure and job descriptions of the two professions are fundamentally different.
​Doctor Med/Dent primarily work on patients in clinics, theatres, consulting rooms, and wards, while Medical Laboratory Scientists work on patient specimens within the laboratory. Both professions therefore play complementary roles in safeguarding patient safety and promoting efficient healthcare delivery. Neither profession can function effectively without the other.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

4/

First and foremost, it is important to state that Medical Laboratory Scientists and Pathologists (Doctor Med/Dent) are not rivals.
​Modern healthcare depends on collaboration among all the health professionals. However, collaboration must never be confused with control, professional takeover or the blurring of regulatory boundaries between distinct professions. Collaborators must not disrespect each other.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

3/​
The Union is particularly concerned about the palpable falsehoods and misrepresentation of facts being advanced under the guise of “patient safety” as part of a deliberate and gradual attempt to blur the professional and regulatory boundaries between Medicine and Medical Laboratory Science in order for the Doctor Med/Dent to assume operational leadership and governance control of our Medical Laboratories traditionally supervised and managed by Medical Laboratory Scientists.
​This response from the Union has therefore become necessary to properly guide the public, policymakers, and all stakeholders in the interest of truth, patient safety, professional integrity, lawful governance, and the future of Medical Laboratory Science practice in Ghana.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

2/
While we acknowledge and respect the indispensable roles of all professionals within the multidisciplinary healthcare team, including Doctor Med/Dent or Pathologists, we are compelled to issue this rejoinder in response to the numerous misleading impressions, professional inaccuracies, and subtle attempts by some desperate Doctor Med/Dent deliberately trying to discredit, undermine, and subordinate Medical Laboratory Scientists unlawfully.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

REJOINDER:
The Medical Laboratory Professionals Workers’ Union (MELPWU) has taken note of a press release issued by a group known as the Society of Laboratory Physicians Ghana (SLPG) dated 18th May 2026, titled “Diagnostics and Health Care: The Role of Doctor (Med).”
​A careful reading of the press release reveals that the SLPG has merely outlined the established functions and responsibilities of Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) as though they are exclusive duties of Doctor Med/Dent, despite the fact that these are the very responsibilities Medical Laboratory Scientists perform on daily basis in laboratories across Ghana.

[CONCERNED DOCTORS OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE-GH @labdoctorsghana]

Truth is golden,facts are sacred
#Everylaboratoryreportisfromamedicallaboratoryscientist

[Abraham Ataande @ataande7]

@GhanamanTips 0246121863

[Abraham Ataande @ataande7]

@KMAkandoh tonight is "Silent Night." But for us, it is "Starving Night."While you go home to fully stocked fridges and festive laughter, 1,000+ Doctors of Medical Lab Science are staring at empty tables. Our "Christmas Eve" is just another evening of wondering where our careers went to die

[Abraham Ataande @ataande7]

The Lab is overwhelmed. Right now, the few staff on duty are drowning in samples. Errors will happen. Delays will happen. Meanwhile, 1,000+ energetic MLS.Ds are sitting at home, wishing they could help. The solution to the weekend chaos is sitting on your desk, Hon. Minister.

[Abraham Ataande @ataande7]

We did everything right. We studied. We sacrificed. We earned the Doctorate.
In return, the system crushed our spirit.
They looked at a generation of brilliant scientists and said, "We prefer you unemployed." They don’t care about us and the patients who need us.
#postmlsdsnow

[Abraham Ataande @ataande7]

Hon. @KMAkandoh, the role of a Health minister in a democratic country like ours is to be fair and equitable in providing clearance to all health professions. #PostMLSDsNow To neglect the MLSDs is to undermine the core values of democracy.

[Abraham Ataande @ataande7]

An Appeal to Consistency: Honoring Past Advocacy.". Kwabena Mintah Akandoh : We recall your strong advocacy for health professionals in Opposition. We appeal to that commitment now. Please resolve this Doctors of medical laboratory science (MLSD) posting challenge
#PostMLSDsNow

[Abraham Ataande @ataande7]

This chair isn't empty by accident. It is empty by Policy. The Government knows your diagnosis depends on a Doctor of Medical Lab Science. Machines can miss critical signs of Leukemia. They know 1,000+ of us are sitting at home ready to work. #PostMLSDsNow @GhanaPresidency