The role of medical laboratory scientist in COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Background: The new coronavirus disease (Covid-19) has infected more than five hundred million (545,226,550) people and leaving more than six million  (6,334,728) people dead in about 180 countries worldwide. The role of medical laboratory scientist cannot be over emphasized in an effort to curtail the covid-19 pandemic. According to CDC, 70% of informed medical decisions are based on laboratory results used in treating and management of patients.

Aim: The aim of this review work is to elucidate the critical role of medical laboratory scientist in containing the scourge of ravaging COVID-19 pandemic.

Methodology: For this review, online databases like PubMed, Google Scholar search and Web of Science were searched for articles related to the  keywords of the topic of the article.

Results: The role of medical laboratory scientist cannot be over emphasized in diagnosis of disease conditions especially covid-19 pandemic. According to  CDC, 70% of informed medical decisions are based on laboratory results used in treating and management of patients. Medical Laboratory Science  practice involves the analysis of human specimen like body fluids, excretions and various body swabs samples for the purpose of medical laboratory  diagnosis, treatment and research. WHO emphasizes “detect, protect and treat” to break the chain of transmission of SARS-COV-2 and COVID-19.As  disease detectives, their role in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic include, Collecting samples, Processing samples, Etiological diagnosis of SARS-  CoV-2, Management of patient response to treatment, Epidemiological Surveillance, Production of covid-19 vaccine and Generation of Data.

Conclusion: Medical Laboratory Science is the bedrock of diagnostic medicine and the role of Medical Laboratory Science in containing any pandemic cannot be  relegated to the background, not now or in the future.