Role of medical laboratory science in maternal and child health – a review

Abstract

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) is integral to many clinical decisions on prevention, diagnosis, treatment and management of patient disease. Laboratory tests supply clinicians with information necessary to provide high quality, safe, effective and appropriate care to patients. Medical Laboratory Services are an essential component of Health care and can be utilized effectively at every level of health care delivery. MLS plays a significant role in Maternal and Child Health (MCH). The Medical Laboratory Science objective of the Maternal, Infant, and Child Health addresses a wide range of conditions that affect the health, wellness, and quality of life of women, children, and families. In clinical laboratories, Medical Laboratory Scientist perform a full range of Laboratory tests as far as MCH care is concerned from; simple Pre- marital blood tests, to more complex tests to uncover diseases such as AIDS, diabetes, and cancer, typing patients and blood products for transfusion, as well as MCH interventions through programmes that deliver integrated packages of services (e.g. antenatal care, well child care, integrated management of childhood diseases, Vaccine Preventable Diseases (VPDs), Malaria, and respiratory diseases, identification and management of infants and children with sickle cell disease, screening newborns for devastating disorders, such as phenylketonuria, that can be prevented by early intervention; or developing the capacity to determine the levels of chemicals constituents in blood and body fluids, classify cells for abnormalities and uncover markers for cancer and inherited genetic diseases. Due to the changing world of Laboratory technology, while so many tests are now offered through kits help to reduce turnaround time, Medical Laboratory Science ensure these tests are being performed with quality by trained professionals.