The Concerned Doctors of Medical Laboratory Science (MLS.D) have raised alarm over what they describe as a growing national crisis, the prolonged unemployment of over 1,000 highly trained laboratory doctors for the past six years.

In a press statement issued, the group said their continued joblessness poses a direct threat to patient safety and the overall quality of healthcare delivery in Ghana.

“This is no longer just a personal or economic challenge; it has become a national issue that undermines the foundation of effective medical treatment,” the statement noted.

According to the group, the affected graduates underwent six years of rigorous academic and professional training in areas such as Clinical Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, Immunology, Molecular Diagnostics and forensic analytical techniques.

Despite possessing the critical skills needed for early disease detection, monitoring and surveillance, they remain outside the health system.

“Our expertise places us at the forefront of modern diagnostic medicine, yet we are left unemployed at a time when Ghana needs us most,” said Dr Essuman Dadzie, one of the signatories.

They warned that the country’s diagnostic capacity remains overstretched, leaving patients to endure long delays for essential laboratory results due to understaffed facilities. The group argued that this has serious implications for national health goals, including Ghana’s commitment to diagnosing at least 95% of all persons living with HIV.

“Every Ghanaian deserves accurate and timely laboratory diagnosis, but this cannot be achieved when the trained professionals remain idle,” said Dr Kwasi Asante Otchere.

They also referenced recent remarks by Vice President Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang at ICASA 2025, stressing the need for an inclusive and resilient health system.

The MLS.D graduates have therefore urged the Minister for Health, the Minister for Finance and the Presidency to urgently intervene by granting financial clearance for their recruitment.

They also called for their full integration into Ghana’s healthcare structure as key contributors to clinical decision-making and disease prevention.

“How can a nation achieve quality healthcare when its human capital is left to waste away?” the group queried in the statement, adding that the workload on currently employed laboratory professionals has become unsustainable.

The group emphasised that employing them is not a favour but a national necessity that aligns with Ghana’s broader goals of strengthening health systems and improving public health outcomes.

They expressed readiness to contribute their skills to national development and urged the government to treat the matter with urgency.

“Honourable Ministers, the time to act is now,” said Dr Precious Achana. “Employing the Doctor of Medical Laboratory Science graduates is essential to safeguarding patient safety and enhancing healthcare quality in Ghana.”