Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences | School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences

THE DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

OVERVIEW

The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences was established in 2000 and is one of the constituent departments of the University of Ghana School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences (SBAHS). Located on the bustling Korle Bu Medical Campus of the University, the Department provides training in Medical Laboratory Sciences to over 60 undergraduate students each year. We also run a graduate program in Medical Laboratory Sciences (MSc), which had produced about 50 alumni as of 2023.

The program began with five permanent staff members, assisted by other part-time lecturers. After the initial enrolment of 11 diploma students into level 300 (third year) for the B.Sc. program, the Department trained 75 others from various parts of the country to the diploma level alongside the B.Sc. discipline until 2011, when the diploma program was terminated.
Across the sub-region, the department has made some impressive contributions to the training of international students, most of whom are Nigerians. Following the civil war in Sierra Leone, the WHO, in response to an appeal to support the country’s failing health sector, requested the Department train 11 of its citizens in 2010 for the award of a diploma in its Medical Laboratory program. The students successfully graduated in 2011 and have since returned to strengthen the health sector in Sierra Leone. Since the commencement of its Master of Science (MSc.) program in 2013, the department has again trained 45 West African students from Ghana, Nigeria, and Kenya. To date, the department has trained more than 2000 students over the past 20 years.

Past students of the department are currently working as top-level medical laboratory scientists in major laboratories in this country, namely, Korle-bu Teaching Hospital, Police Hospital, Military Hospital, and Okomfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, just to mention a few. Others have joined reputable research entities such as the Nouguchi Memorial Research Institutes.

Since the inception of the department, administrative affairs have been run by the following heads:

1st Head of Department: Professor Ayeh-Kumi; 2000-2008
2nd Head of Department: Dr. Charles Brown, 2008-2013
3rd Head of Department: Professor Richard Harry Asmah, 2013 - 2017
4th Head of Department: Professor George Awuku Asare, 2017 - 2019
5th Head of Department: Professor Samuel S. Antwi-Baffour, 2019 - 2022
6th Head of Department: Dr. Akua Obeng Forson, 2022 till date

The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences is organized into four main units: Microbiology (Bacteriology/Mycology, Parasitology, and Virology), Pathology, Chemical pathology, and Haematology.

The functions and purposes of the units are as follows:

Chemical Pathology

This unit employs didactic and practical approaches in explaining the importance of biochemical analyses of body fluids involved in screening, diagnosis, monitoring, and prognosis of diseases.

Pathology

This unit also provides facilities and equipment for the examination of body tissues and fluids.

Haematology

This unit also carries out diagnostic tests related to the use of blood.

Microbiology

This unit is also responsible for identifying causative agents of various infectious diseases and helping determine the antimicrobial susceptibility profiles, when appropriate.

Programme

The B.Sc. Medical Laboratory Science Program is a four-year professional program. The second, third, and fourth-year courses cover broad areas of medical laboratory science. There are clinical laboratory training periods during the long vacations between semesters four (4) and five (5) and six (6) and seven (7).

Research

Over the years, land-mark projects have been undertaken in the following areas:

Haptoglobin Polymorphism and Malaria
Histological dyes from natural products
Prostate and phytotherapy
Hormonal contraceptives and cardiovascular risk
Oxidative stress and preeclampsia
Diet and Genetics
Vector-borne diseases
Antibiotic resistance
Food Safety
Bacterial Pathogenesis and Evolution

The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences aims to maintain a research-intensive environment and invites collaboration from across the globe!

HODs WELCOME ADDRESS

The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences is an evolving department in the College of Health Sciences, School of Biomedical and Allied Health Sciences, University of Ghana. Since its establishment, it has played host to some of the finest Medical Laboratory Scientist benefiting the patient, community, and academia in Ghana.

Akua Obeng Forson is the current head of the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences as of August 2022. She holds a PhD in microbiology from the University of South Australia, Adelaide. She is a medical microbiologist with an interest in vector-borne diseases and food safety.

The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences has developed a strong reputation for training highly qualified and efficient health care laboratory professionals. The department aims to become a center of excellence that benefits patients, the community, and academia, as well as undertake research to find solutions to health problems facing the country and the continent at large.

If you are a prospective student seeking to join the Department for undergraduate or postgraduate studies, you are welcome to take a look at the programs and courses on offer. In case you have any questions, do not hesitate to e-mail the department at sbahs-medlab@ug.edu.gh for assistance.

If you are a researcher seeking collaboration, we are most happy to work with you. Kindly send an email to mls.sbahs@ug.edu.gh or directly to any member of faculty you may want to work with. Of course, if you are able to come to the department in person, that would be wonderful.

You may also be interested in using some of our research equipment. We have available a haematology and chemistry analyzers, multi-head microscopes, fluorescent microscopes, and light microscopes, and we provide services for a fee.

Prof. Akua Obeng Forson
Head, Medical Laboratory Sciences
August 2024

Objectives and Vision

Vision:

To become a global center of excellence for healthcare laboratory training, bringing good health, comfort, and happiness to people

Mission:

Our mission is to provide world-class healthcare laboratory training, leveraging the strengths of the University of Ghana and our team of experienced educators and practitioners. Through innovative teaching methods, cutting-edge research, and community engagement, we aim to develop highly qualified and efficient healthcare laboratory professionals who are equipped to improve patient outcomes, advance academic knowledge, and drive positive change in the broader community. Through this, we aim to benefit patients, communities, and academia.

Our 10-point program goals are:

The overarching goals of the Department are to:

create a learning environment that fosters the development of competent medical laboratory professionals.
equip students and medical laboratory professionals with the necessary theoretical knowledge and technical skills to provide high-quality laboratory services.
deliver a comprehensive technical education to students in both the theoretical and practical aspects of clinical laboratory testing. We strive to create an instructional environment that fosters critical thinking, problem-solving, and lifelong learning, thus preparing students for a career in the field of research.
enable students and medical laboratory professionals to adapt to changes in medical advances, emerging technologies, and evolving healthcare needs.
Empower and support students and medical laboratory professionals to develop entrepreneurial skills and pursue opportunities to start laboratory-related businesses or initiatives, thereby contributing to the growth and innovation of the field.
prepare students and medical laboratory professionals to succeed in their future careers using didactic, laboratory, and internship experiences.
prioritize creating a safe and inclusive learning environment, promote ethical behaviour, and encourage collaboration, innovation, and critical thinking.
provide opportunities for students and medical laboratory professionals to engage in technology-enhanced experiential learning both in the classroom and laboratory settings.
Develop a comprehensive medical laboratory sciences curriculum that caters to the requirements of the students and meets the demands of potential employers of program graduates.
Promote the growth and development of medical laboratory science as a profession.

Core Program Values:

Academic Excellence and Professionalism: To uphold high academic standards and ensure that all students receive a comprehensive education that prepares them for successful careers in the medical laboratory sciences.
Collaboration and Collegiality: To foster an environment of collaboration and collegiality among our students, faculty, and staff to promote a supportive and respectful learning environment.
Quality and Accountability: To maintain a commitment to quality in all aspects of our program and hold ourselves accountable for achieving the highest standards of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and service.
Lifelong Learning and Personal Well-Being: Our department recognizes the importance of lifelong learning in the success of our students and encourages them to engage in ongoing professional development and self-care.
Social Responsibility and Diversity: Our department is committed to promoting social responsibility and diversity in our program by respecting and appreciating differences among our students and ensuring that they are equipped to serve diverse patient populations.

Faculty Staff

1. Dr. Ransford Kyeremeh

2. Santa Sheila

3. ANANG YVONNE

4. George Awuku Asare

5. AKUA KOASO YALLEY

6. Alexander Martin-Odoom

7. Dedea Ewurama Ampadu Owusu

8. Mahmood Abdulai Sei

10. David Nana-Adjei

11. BENJAMIN TETTEH MENSAH

12. Charles Adokwei Brown