Mary Mtui, the Registrar of medical laboratory sciences practitioners, urged medical laboratory sciences students and practitioners to work hard and cooperate with one another for the sustainable growth of the profession. Mrs. Mtui, who was also the guest of the honour, gave these sentiments during the Tanzania Medical Laboratory Students Association (TAMELASA) Conference that was held at Ruaha Catholic University (RUCU) in Iringa from 22nd to 23rd August 2020. The event brought together TAMELASA members from various universities across Tanzania, and other stakeholders pertaining to the profession.
Her remarks were made after the feedback session involving students and other stakeholders in attendance on how the medical laboratory sciences profession can be improved both in the university and work settings. Most of the feedback focussed on the assessment criteria and practice qualifications which were seen as major obstacles in the growth of the profession. The registrar responded with clarifications on existing procedures and promised to work on some of the challenges raised.
Officers from several government agencies were in attendance. The agencies represented included the Tanzania Medicines and Medical Devices Authority (TMDA), National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), and the Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly and Children (MoHCDGEC).The officers spoke on various aspects of the medical laboratory sciences profession such as the importance of presentability and confidentiality when handling/serving patients, fellow professionals, and medical practitioners from other fields.
The event also featured an awards ceremony for TAMELASA members who played crucial roles for the association.Two (2)out of the five (5) awarded members come from Kampala International University in Tanzania (KIUT). Gloria H. Mufumya got the best female leader award and Haji A. Liputi won the best abstract of the year award for proposing the establishment of electronic laboratories (e-labs) for efficient and effective laboratory communication. Abel Ngeleja, the association’s current President, coordinated the awards ceremony.
The Deputy Vice Chancellor (DVC) of Ruaha Catholic University, on behalf of the Vice Chancellor and university gave closing remarks. He congratulated the association on the wonderful work they are doing to support students pursuing the medical laboratory sciences professions, especially in devoting time to listen to their experiences and translating them into policies and action plans to smoothen their career paths. Furthermore, the DVC thanked the association for conducting the event at Ruaha Catholic University, promising continued support to help the association realize its long-term vision.
The TAMELASA Scientific Conference is an annual event organized to bring together TAMELASA members from different universities across the country to discuss the role of the medical laboratory profession in improving delivery of quality health care services in Tanzania.
The Tanzania Medical Laboratory Students Association (TAMELASA) is a platform that brings together students from higher learning institutions (degree and non-degree levels), pursuing medical laboratory sciences to spearhead and advocate the best practices of the profession and national health services in general in Tanzania and the rest of the world.
Abel J. Ngeleja, a 4th Year student pursuing Medical Laboratory Sciences at Kampala International University in Tanzania is the current President of TAMELASA spearheading meaningful cooperation among members from other universities to ensure sustainability of the profession.
