The Medical Laboratory Professional Workers Union (MELPWU) has urged the government to halt plans to go into a Public-Private Partnership (PPP) arrangement with a private laboratory.

The private laboratory, under the arrangement, will be responsible for providing laboratory services that are not available in public facilities.

But speaking at an Annual General Meeting in Kumasi, the General Secretary of the Union, Cephas Kofi Akortor, said the union is against the partnership.

According to him, the Medical Laboratory Professionals “has not been not involved in any deliberations in the partnership.”

“It will be very appropriate for the Government of Ghana through the Ministry of Health to engage in a broader stakeholder consultation to ensure that that this PPP arrangement is in the supreme interest of the nation before it is ever implemented,” added.

The special assembly featured the swearing-in of new executives of the union. 

The meeting was themed: “The Changing World of Work, The Role of Trade Unions and the Employer in Industrial Relations”.

The assembly aimed to discuss the terms of employment of members of the medical laboratory service. 

The event deliberated on means to make the working environment medical profession more responsive. 

The assembly aims to facilitate and fasten the implementation of the 2013 National Health Laboratory Policy. 

According to Cephas Kofi Akortor, the implementation will provide an enabling environment and promote quality healthcare delivery. 

“We, therefore, urgently call for the implementation of the National Health Laboratory Policy, which was developed in 2013 to serve as a blueprint for the expansion of laboratory services to support healthcare programs and promote quality healthcare delivery in the country.

“The policy will provide a sustainable framework for the structured development and professional growth of Ghana’s laboratory system in the areas of; Quality Management Systems,” he said. 

Chairman of the MELPWU meeting, Patrick Nsobila Asebga challenged members to be abreast of the rules and regulations of the service to ensure effectiveness. 

“We should be abreast of the laws, conventions, and regulations governing our existence, and our engagements and act accordingly to have all issues regarding our noble profession heard and addressed effectively. 

“We are well-trained and highly qualified scientists with a burning desire to practice our trade in a highly professional and ethical manner, and there should not be any other factors preventing us from doing so,” he said.