Medical laboratory sciences past, present and future in

Sudan

Mustafa Khandgawi
Medical Laboratory specialist
M.Sc. of Chemical pathology U of K 2016 – Sudan

s.afsaf2011@hotmail.com

Introduction

There is no doubt that modern medicine all over the world is no longer
an art that depends mainly on the personal skills of the
physicians' medical practice is not itself science , but has become to a
large extent exactly based on several examinations in medical
laboratories therefore, it is necessary to work in multidisciplinary team.
(1)
The importance of this science arise from the fact that it constitutes the
right arm for the treating physician, especially in light of the spread of
diseases in this era, whether they are microbial diseases in their broad
sense or radiological diseases such as cancers and other blood diseases
and diseases resulting from a defect in the metabolism of food, allergic
diseases and other diseases.
Medial laboratory sciences can provides very important information to
the treating physician, to treat a disease condition , It is also the
cornerstone of scientific research.

The historical development of medical laboratory science in Sudan:-

The first attempt to train Sudanese medical technicians locally began

immediately after independence when four students who had completed
the upper secondary school were selected for training in the STAC
laboratories for medical research at that time for three years.
The Stack Medical Research Laboratories is one of the offshoots of the
original Wel1come Laboratories. The lab was named after Sir lee Stack
Governor General of Sudan who was assassinated in Egypt in 1924.
Research work done in the Stack Medical Research Laboratories was of
a practical nature and was usually initiated to solve, a definite problem
connected with endemic diseases.(3,4).
But a ten years that followed independence, only a few graduated on that
pattern and this is due to three reasons:-
(1) Lack of an integrated organization of training.
(2) The absence of a full-time administration to supervise it or full-
time professors in it.
(3) A lack of clarity of vision for the future of graduates.
To correct this situation, the Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences
was founded in 1966 under the name “School of Medical Laboratory
Technicians” as a joint venture between the Faculty of Medicine,
University of Khartoum and the Ministry of Health. It was the first
specialized study of its kind in the Middle East and Africa.
The study was stopped at the college for a period of three years for
various reasons.
During that period, the college participated in the teaching and training
of Omdurman Ahlia College students, graduates of health institutes, the
two year system, and laboratory students of Al-Zaeem Al-Azhari
University.
The college graduated three batches from Omdurman Private College
and three batches of health institutes graduates.
Its development was continued until in 1993 an ordinance was passed
for the establishment of the College of Medical Laboratory Sciences an
independent institution affiliated to the Ministry of Higher Education
and Scientific Research.
In 1997, it was merged with the University of Khartoum as the Faculty
of Medical Laboratory Sciences (FMLS).
The Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences offers preparation for
careers in medical (clinical) laboratory sciences.
A career in medical laboratory sciences is a great way to combine an
aptitude for science with the desire to help others.
Medical Laboratory Scientists, also known as clinical laboratory
scientists, are highly skilled professionals who perform analytical tests
on blood, tissue, and body fluids to provide laboratory information for
the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of human diseases. There also is
a growing trend for medical lab scientists to perform wellness laboratory
testing aimed at preventing disease. Degrees Awarded: General B.Sc.: 4
years Honor B.Sc.: 5 years M.S.c: By courses M.Sc.: By research PhD:
By research Departments of the Faculty of Medical Laboratory
Sciences:-
1- Department of Microbiology:-It is one of the biggest departments
in FMLS, it includes the following disciplines: Medical
Bacteriology, Medical Virology, Medical Mycology, Immunology.
2- Departments of Haematology and Immunohematology:-Deals with
all aspects related to blood, its components and related diseases
such as anaemia, cancer, and also blood transfusion.
3- Department of Parasitology and Medical Entomology:-Teaches the
knowledge of pathogenic parasites such as malaria, worms such as
Schistosomes and insect vectors of diseases.
4- Department of Chemical Pathology:-Deals with everything related
to body chemistry including but not limited to chemical shifts in
the body due to diseases, hormonal balance, enzymes, trace
elements and toxicology.
5- Department of Histopathology and Cytology:-Focuses on
identifying the composition of cells and tissues of the body and the
change in their composition due to chronic cases. Division of the
Department: Cytopathology, Histotechniques,
Immunohistochemistry, Cytogenetics, Molecular Pathology, Cellular
pathology.
A history of development that has gone through stages of steady growth,
between labels to prove identity and curricula that keep pace with all
global development to merit and distinction in medical research,
extensive diagnosis, rehabilitation and training, leading to an endeavor
that was a hope and a dream from skipping the diploma stage and lab
assistants, graduates of institutes, to a Bachelor’s degree in medical
laboratory sciences.
And then holders of master’s, doctorate and professorship degrees with
scientists, students, workers and supervisors to the stage of medical
laboratory specialists.
In the year 1998, the Professional Union of Medical Laboratories was
formed, to achieve all its goals, vision and mission in light of a clear
path of advancement and a separate council in the year 2010 to preserves
the safety of the Sudanese human being through controlling professional
practice and taking care of the interests and rights of practicing at all
levels and their various projects without discrimination of race, religion
or color and through international standards and an agreed performance
scale.
In 2013 formation of the Sudanese Society for Medical Laboratory
Sciences.
There are great opportunities in Sudan to serve patients better through
advances in diagnostic modalities by following of:-
1. Curriculum Development.
2. Providing high quality and safe health care requires continuous
education after rehabilitation to keep pace with the steady
development in the field of health care quality so Professional
development needs to continue through lifelong learning by
training in fundamental laboratory methodologies , conceptual
understanding of common laboratory techniques, data analysis, and
data management.
3. Bridging the gap between Sudanese medical Laboratories &
University education.
4. Partnerships with international institutes and universities.
5. Continuous improvement of the quality of health care services.
6. The  amount of attention given to scientific research because No
Health without research.
 References
(1) Saunders J. The practice of clinical medicine as an art and as a science. West
J Med. 2001;174(2):137-141.
(2) Farr, J. Michael; Laurence Shatkin (2004). Best jobs for the 21st century.
JIST Works. p. 460. ISBN 978-1-56370-961-6.
(3) Haseeb MA. A Monograph on Biological Research in The Sudan. Khartoum
University Press, Khartoum 1973:3-19.
(4) 1 D’Arcy. Op. Cit.