Lab Professionals Seek Motivation for their Members in COVID-19 Fight

Laboratory professionals under the Uganda Medical Laboratory Technology Association- are seeking motivation and recognition for their frontline workers involved in the fight against COVID-19. 

The association is an umbrella that advocates for improved Laboratory services in Uganda and works to promote and maintain high standards of professionalism and excellence in Medical Laboratory service delivery in Uganda. Its members include Medical Laboratory Specialists, Scientists, Technologists, Technicians, and Assistants working in both Public and Private sector. 

The association president John Paul Byagamy says that the laboratory professionals are the engine running all the surveillance and epidemiological studies at the time that the world is faced with the COVID-19 crisis. However, he adds, many of them are taking less pay despite being overly qualified.  

He is now demanding that all the District Laboratory Focal persons be integrated into the District Taskforce and rapid response team in all the districts countrywide. 

//Cue in; “Laboratory professionals are…

Cue out… in this fight.”//   

Byagamy also argued that whereas there is a collective effort realized towards COVID-19 by the entire health workforce, Laboratory Scientists needs to be recognized. He believes that the fight against COVID_ 19 could not have registered any success in the absence of laboratory professionals. 

//Cue in; “Right now in… 

Cue out… a diploma holder.”// 

Meanwhile Christopher Oluju, a laboratory technician attached to Lira District Local Government highlighted the need to strengthen laboratory services at sub-county level. 

//Cue in; “Mainly personal protective… 

Cue out… it goes up.”// 

Ministry of Health requires that the COVID_ 19 Task Force has a technical team comprising of the DHO, District surveillance Focal Point person and the District Laboratory Focal Persons.