By Basil K. Mbuye
The Cameroon Association for Medical Laboratory Science (CAMELS) held its? General Assembly in Bamenda recently and decried among others; absence of professional code of ethics, pitiable working conditions and remunerations, recruitment of unqualified personnel to work in medical diagnostic laboratories by government and other malpractices.
In the occasion, the Representative of the Minister of Public Health and his colleagues at the?? conference that held at the Conference hall of Special Fund For Heath Northwest Bamenda, the National President of Cameroon Association for Medical Laboratory Science, Mr. Patrick Joseph Chattad, highlighted several problems that hamper healthcare delivery in Cameroon. Top most; poor training conditions for medical Laboratory professionals, ill adapted curricular to the current evolution of Biomedical Laboratory Science, unauthorized training institutions, absence of professional code of ethics, poor Laboratory facilities and safety environment, importation and marketing expired and substandard kits, reagents chemicals and equipment.
According to Mr. Chattad, the non- inexistence of an appropriate legal framework which empowers medical Laboratory professionals to control medical Laboratory Science professionals in Cameroon are ?the raison d?etre for the several problems militating against good medical Laboratory practice?. He regretted that CAMELS have communicated all these problems to government since 2006 till date and no favourable response received. ?We humbly appeal to the Minister of Public Health to ensure a commission examines the texts for a parliamentary bill organizing medical Laboratory Science profession in Cameroon-including a national Council for its professionals,? Mr. Chattad appealed.
Drawing inspiration from this year?s theme of the 11th Scientific Inference ?the medical Laboratory Science Profession in an emerging Cameroon- the way forward?, Mr. Chattad said it was timely because, he believes the powers that be will pave the way in solving the several problems militating against the provision of high quality medical diagnostic service in Cameroon.
On behalf of the Minister of Public Health, the Deputy Director in charge of Laboratories in MINISANTE, Mr. Francois Xavier Mbopi Reou, said he is aware of the problem medical Laboratory Science face in Cameroon and promised to follow-up the creation of a National Council for Medical Laboratory Science. He equally promised to support CAMELS projects especially with the proposed CAMELS- ICPD and trainings. The
Minister?s Representative highlighted the creation of public Health Laboratory and the Yaounde declaration recognizing Laboratories in Cameroon. He said he was highly impressed for the massive turnout and membership of CAMELS and assured them not to loose hope.
Earlier, the host Regional President of CAMELS, Northwest, Mr.Emmanuel Abang, said the level of any development in a country is determined or measured by the standard of her healthcare delivery system.
Scientific papers presented include; Toxicological study of metabolic leaf extract of ocimum gratissimum on albino rats, Anti Mycotic activity of commoiria cyanea.
