By Paul Mamattah
In a bid to improve healthcare practices in Ghana, Flokefama, a leading healthcare solutions company in the country, has organized a one-day conference for Chief Executives Officers (CEO) of various hospitals in the country on modern trends in laboratory diagnosis undoubtedly fueled enthusiasm and motivation among attendees to improve healthcare systems across the nation.
The conference aimed at educating and inform healthcare leaders about modern trends in laboratory diagnosis and its importance in building sustainable healthcare systems.
The conference focused on the importance of incorporating modern trends and technologies in laboratory diagnosis to enhance the accuracy and efficiency of medical testing.It also provided a platform for participants to discuss best practices, exchange ideas, and explore strategies for elevating the standard of healthcare in Ghana.
Under the theme “Sustainable healthcare systems: Contribution of quality laboratory diagnosis,” the conference brought together top executives from hospitals across the country to delve into the latest advancements in laboratory diagnostics.Renowned experts and industry leaders shared their knowledge and insights to foster innovation and improve healthcare outcomes in Ghana.
Furthermore, the conference emphasized the significance of a sustainable healthcare system by placing quality laboratory diagnosis at the forefront.Participants were encouraged to explore strategies for enhancing the accessibility and affordability of laboratory testing, particularly in remote areas of Ghana.This approach aimed to ensure that all Ghanaians, regardless of their location or socioeconomic status, have equal access to high-quality diagnostic services.
More Read
In his remarks, the Chief Executive Officer of Flokefama, Emmanuel Teye Kennedy, stated that in the laboratory space, standardization, precision, and quality control play a crucial role in ensuring accurate and reliable results.
He added that unfortunately, many medical facilities in the country lack the necessary precision and control, resulting in erroneous outcomes, such as misidentifying diabetic patients as non-diabetic. To address this issue, it becomes imperative to establish standardization protocols across all medical facilities in the country.
Mr.Kenndy recognizes the significance of standardization and aims to gather decision makers to participate in the standardization process explaining that this process involves establishing and implementing uniform procedures and guidelines, ensuring that all laboratories adhere to the same set of standards. It is essential to emphasize that standardization goes beyond individual facilities; it must encompass the entire medical community.
One of the points raised by the CEO is the importance of using Foods and Drugs Authority (FDA) registered equipment in laboratories saying; FDA registration ensures that the equipment meets specific quality and safety standards, providing a baseline for accurate testing and reliable results. By utilizing standardized and FDA registered equipment, the risk of errors and misdiagnoses can be significantly reduced.
Mr. Kennedy pointed out that failure to implement proper standardization procedures can have severe consequences, potentially leading to harm or even fatalities and highlights the risks associated with the increasing use of point test kits in the system.
“Without standardization, these kits may vary in terms of accuracy and reliability, leading to incorrect diagnoses and inappropriate treatments. Thus, a comprehensive standardization procedure is crucial to safeguarding patient well-being and preventing potential harm”. He bemoaned.
The Programme Officer and the Director of Allied Health of Ministry of Health, Dr. Ignatius Awinibuno, highlighted the expected growth rate of the global in-vitro diagnostics market which according to him, the market is expected to grow at an annual rate of about 7.1% from 2023 to 2030, with a projected market value of 157.02 billion dollars by 2030, up from 97.12 billion dollars in 2023.
He also emphasized the importance of in vitro diagnostics (IVD) in the medical field, defining them as medical equipment, machines, contrivances, implants, in vitro reagents, or other similar or related articles.
Dr.Awinibuno explained that IVDs are intended for use in the diagnosis, treatment, mitigation, or prevention of disease, in humans and animals, and are essential to providing information for diagnostic, monitoring, or compatibility purposes.
The statement reflects the growing demand for IVDs globally, driven by factors such as rising healthcare expenditure, increasing awareness of personalized medicine, and growing chronic disease prevalence. Dr. Awinibuno’s remarks signal the need for healthcare organizations to invest in IVD technology to improve patient outcomes and ensure accurate and timely diagnoses.
