-Dr.WhapoeDeclares
MONROVIA-Vision for Liberia Transformation Party (VOLT) Political leader says, it is disdainful for the University of Liberia (UL) to continuously submit budget for the legislature approval, but neglects learning endeavor such as research and investment in laboratory science and technology however, include trivial personal interest such as scratch cards, gas slips, DSA among others.
Dr. Jeremiah Z. Whapoe made the statement when he serves as guest speaker as at the 46th anniversary celebration of the Liberia Association of Medical Laboratory Technologists (LAMLT). He spoke on the topic: “ignorance of science: A disaster, at the Monrovia Christian Fellowship Center, 9th Street on Tuesday, November 29, 2022.
He challenged the Government of Liberia to make investment in laboratory education so as a country to solve numerous, not only environmental, but health care problems.
Dr. Whapoe, a presidential aspirant in the upcoming presidential and legislative elections, said, if the government can invest in science, especially laboratory technology, the country can solve for itself numerous not only environmental, but health care problems, such as disease control and prevention, avoiding environmental degradation, among others.
However, he said, “With ignorance of the importance of laboratory science, it is evident that our people continue to die from curable diseases and our crops continue to de-geminate as soil infestation such as “army worm” deplete farmers crops in Bong and Nimba Counties in 2010″, therefore he called on the present and future governments to invest in laboratory inquires to protect the society.
Speaking further, Dr. Whapoe said the science learning goals of laboratory experiences include enhancing misery of science subject matters, developing scientific reasoning abilities, increasing understanding of the complexity and ambiguity of empirical work, developing practical skills, increasing understanding of the nature of science and cultivating broader knowledge.
He noted that laboratory science provides the opportunity for detection of diseases in individuals, and populations, saying laboratory tests are also important for detection of environmental toxins such as lead communicable diseases.
He said research has shown that individuals who engage in well-designed laboratory experiences development problems solving and critical thinking skills , as well as gain exposure to mature reactions, materials , and equipment that help to solve scientific problems.
Laying further basis, he mentioned that the main objective of laboratory medicine is to provide meaningful, accurate results for risk assessment, diagnostic of conditions, follow-up and monitoring of the treatment of patients. Laboratory science is an essential part of the diagnostic process in healthcare environment.
“Not only in medicine or healthcare facilities, but the environment laboratories should be responsible for the betterment of the health of many individuals, wide life and the environment”. According to Dr.Whapoe, with the technical data and analysis of inquiries, they know what to do next to preserve the well-being of the society.
“Our laboratories should not only be equipped to perform limited diagnostic testing, reference testing and disease surveillance, but able be able to provide emergency response support, perform applied research, and provide training for laboratory personnel”, he highlighted.
Additionally, he said laboratories should be equipped to identify rare or dangerous pathogens, identify newly described organisms, and provide uncommon diagnostic reagents, adding that laboratory information must be accurate, timely subjected to qualify assurance procedures.
He continued that laboratory tests are particularly useful in validating a diagnosis, predicting disease severity, and monitoring disease prevention in patients with effectual diseases or immunological disorders. Timely diagnostic assessment and implementation of reliable test are extremely important in disease management. He said test are ordered to diagnose , monitor, provide therapy, and screening and the operating characteristics required for each purpose; thereby providing insight in disease management that influence increase in individuals’ lifespan.