{"id":320593,"date":"2024-04-16T11:48:53","date_gmt":"2024-04-16T15:48:53","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/?p=320593"},"modified":"2024-04-16T11:48:53","modified_gmt":"2024-04-16T15:48:53","slug":"the-future-is-lab-the-national-medical-lab-hosts-lab-week","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/dominicanewsonline.com\/news\/homepage\/homepage-carousel\/the-future-is-lab-the-national-medical-lab-hosts-lab-week\/","title":{"rendered":"‘The Future is Lab’: the National Medical Lab hosts Lab Week"},"content":{"rendered":"
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National Lab Week Exhibition<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In recognition of the 49th annual National Laboratory Week, Dominica National Medical Laboratory and the Ministry of Health and Wellness have joined forces to sensitize the public on the prominence of the medical lab.<\/p>\n

This year under the theme, \u201cThe Future is Lab\u201d a week packed with activities promises to feed the necessary information, particularly to the upcoming generation of working adults.<\/p>\n

During the week of celebrations, Senior Technologist and Officer in charge of the National Laboratory Prunella Robin Cuffy pushes for the much-deserved honor and gratitude owed to the unit and its staff. At the official opening of this year\u2019s Lab Week on Monday, April 16, at the Public Service Building, Cuffy underscored the seemingly vast evolution of the local laboratory.<\/p>\n

Located at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital, the National Medical Laboratory serves as the main entity of its kind on island and within the medical health system. According to a statement presented on behalf of National Epidemiologist Dr. Shalaudin Ahmed, Dominica advanced from standing out as \u201cthe first O.E.C.S country to establish PCR testing capabilities for COVID-19\u201d to possessing the ability to conduct PCR testing for \u201cdengue, chikungunya, and the zika virus.\u201d Notably, the lab currently allows testing for the COVID-19 virus and Tuberculosis (TB) in large volumes.<\/p>\n

Straying from the false narrative of the medical laboratory being a \u201cbehind the scenes entity,\u201d Cuffy stressed its fore-front position in saving lives. She elaborated on her unit\u2019s growth into a more patient-centered motive. \u201cOur contribution is crucial for accurate diagnosis and treatment of diseases so this perception [behind the scenes entity] needs to change as lab services have always been client-centered and the information that we generate is used in the direct management of the clients themselves.\u201d<\/p>\n

She went on to highlight newly revised standards which places keen focus on a more patient-centered stewardship. \u201cAccording to the ISO 15 19 of 2022…focus is more centered on clients and patients and the delivery of lab services are to be focused more on client\/patient satisfaction,\u201d Cuffy relayed.<\/p>\n

The health and medical sector professionals exist beyond the profession of doctors and nurses and it is important to remember staff behind the scenes. In this regard, Cuffy firmly highlighted that, \u201cthe diagnostic capabilities of the lab are carried out by a group of dedicated, competent, and hard-working staff.\u201d<\/p>\n

In an effort to raise more awareness and shed light on the Medical Laboratory service and its staff\u2019s efforts, Lab Week begins with an exhibition welcoming secondary school students and students of the Dominica State College. Cuffy confirms that the general public is also welcome to view the exhibits at the Public Service Union Building\u2019s ground floor between Tuesday 16, and Wednesday 17, of April.<\/p>\n

\u201cOthers are invited to attend but we are targeting the school children because what we plan to do is sensitize them because they will be going to the work force very soon so that\u2019s what we are doing right now.\u201d<\/p>\n

Going through the organized schedule, she further expressed to DNO, \u201cWednesday we\u2019re targeting the children again, we will have staff members going out to the various schools to build awareness, sensitize the students on the profession and what the lab is all about, because as I said before the lab is seen as a backdrop but we are very much involved in the health care system in Dominica.\u201d<\/p>\n

The 2024 National Lab Week runs from Monday, April 15 through Saturday, April 20.<\/p>\n

The curtains will close on what is expected to be an impactful week, with a dinner at The Realm for staff of the National Laboratory Unit.<\/p>\n

Following Lab Week another school outreach is in the pipeline for the near future<\/p>\n