Speakers at a Seminar emphasized that the true role of medical laboratory technology can only be achieved by setting up specialized institutions, updating and standardizing the curriculum and instituting a Pakistan Medical Technology Council (PMTC). They were addressing a Seminar titled ‘Future Perspectives for Medical Laboratory Scientist’ organized by Pakistan Chapter of the South Asian Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (SAAMLS) in collaboration with the Board of Certification, American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) at the Punjab Institute of Cardiology (PIC), Lahore. The session was formally inaugurated by Prof. Bilal Zakariah Khan, CEO, PIC alongwith Dr. Ubaida Nighat, Medical Superintendent, PIC and Prof. Mahfooz-ur-Rahman, HoD Pathology, PIC.
The seminar was attended by more than 300 Medical Laboratory Professionals from across the country. Presentations were made by renowned speakers on topics of interest for MLTs.
Comprehensive procedure for ASCP Certification for Laboratory Professionals was discussed by Usman Waheed, Central President, SAAMLS and Advisor ASCP. He spoke on the topic of “Research Planning & Scientific Writings” which is a major course for BS MLT curricula. He said that clinical laboratories represent an area of healthcare that has undergone great deal of improvement since its beginning centuries ago. With over 475,000 individuals certified, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is the largest and oldest association of laboratory professionals in the world. Laboratory science has now become the most appealing profession in Pakistan and lab professionals are striving for new quality horizons and ASCP certification could be one possibility which will demonstrate that the knowledge and experience meet the highest standards of laboratory profession. He also emphasized that the true role of medical laboratory technology can only be achieved by setting up specialized institutions, updating and standardizing the curriculum and instituting a Pakistan Medical Technology Council (PMTC). The PMTCs objective will be to set the required standards to be met by training institutions including curricula content, minimum classroom and teaching aid facilities, faculty education and experience, etc. It will also help to establish and recognize Medical Laboratory Technology as an entity separate from Pathology, with its own specialists and career structure.
The topic of “Accreditation of Medical Laboratories” was presented by Asim Ansari, Vice President, Pakistan Chapter-SAAMLS. He also introduced the SAAMLS Pakistan Chapter and gave a brief background of the Association. The South Asian Association is a non-profit organization that was established in Sri Lanka by the Medical Technologists of South Asian countries. Being Pakistani, we are very proud that one of our seniors was present in the founding team to conceptualize the association and now recently elected as the President of the Association for the next 3 years. The Association has been organized for educational and scientific purposes in relationship to the medical laboratory sciences. The primary objective is to maintain and enhance high professional standards through improved laboratory policies and technology in the region by coordinating with the National Societies of the member countries. This will accelerate the sharing of knowledge and best practices. The Pakistan Chapter of the Association has been recently launched in Pakistan and it is expected that we will be guided and supported by the professionals from South Asian countries. The purpose is only academic and exchange of knowledge.
Dr. Hasan Ejaz, Senior Research Fellow, Children Hospital Lahore, spoke on the role of laboratory professionals in healthcare. He said the Medical Laboratory Technologists are detectives of the health care world and deliver clues that are vital in the diagnosis and treatment of a disease. This fact implies a need of continuous professional development and a highly specialized training. Other notable speakers included Mr. Aslam Hayat (PIC, Lahore), and Dr. Abdul Wadood, Consultant Pathologist, PIC.
Books on various MLT topics were also displayed for students who showed keen interest in them. The books displayed at the occasion were authored by Usman Waheed and Asim Ansari and included Medical Laboratory Instrumentation, Clinical Microbiology, Serological Techniques in Immunology, Haematology & Blood Banking and Histotechniques.
The seminar concluded with a vote of thanks by Mian Saeed and Maqsood Ahmed from SAAMLS-Pakistan Chapter. They appreciated the active participation of students and offered profound thanks to the honorable speakers and faculty members of PIC. The seminar concluded with a certificates distribution ceremony.