Irregular medical scientists’ training concern

GOVERNMENT must look into allegations of the irregular training of medical laboratory scientists to ensure the provision of quality care in the health delivery system.

Speaking at the third annual general meeting ( AGM) of the Zimbabwe Association of Medical Laboratory and Clinical Scientists ( ZAMLCS) held in Harare over the weekend, ZAMLCS president Mr Donald Vhanda said there was need to review the current training curriculum for laboratory scientists to meet current trends in the medical field.

The irregular training of the professionals, he said, was not adding value to the profession.

“We now have a lot of young scientists who are unemployed and are willing to go even to the most remote areas to serve our communities, and these should be given a chance if we are to move on with the times as far as delivery of quality healthcare is concerned,” said Mr Vhanda.

He urged fellow scientists to work towards regional and international integration through exploring possible opportunities for furthering their education.

Mr Vhanda said scientists should continue offering quality services, exhibiting professionalism and ethical conduct in their quest to provide evidence- based medicine.

He said they should also invest in research and development to find lasting solutions to problems bedevilling the health sector.

“It takes total commitment from all those involved and real unity of purpose to achieve that,” he said.

Medical scientists are responsible for doing laboratory tests for monitoring and diagnostic purposes of various patient diseases and health conditions.

They work in collaboration with other healthcare workers.

Some of the tests done in the laboratories are for infectious diseases such as HIV, tuberculosis, malaria and typhoid, including non- infectious diseases such as diabetes and cancer.

A laboratory confirms or rules out possible diseases.