Breaking down barriers in quality medical laboratory services: insights from a qualitative study of health managers in Ghana

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Abstract Background Quality medical laboratory services are vital for accurate diagnosis, effective treatment and public health surveillance. However, various barriers in low- and middle-income countries, such as Ghana, hinder the consistent provision of high-quality laboratory services. Understanding these barriers is crucial for developing targeted interventions and enhancing medical laboratories to achieve improved health outcomes. This study examines the barriers to delivering high-quality medical laboratory services in Ghana. Methods A qualitative approach was employed to understand and explore barriers associated with providing quality medical laboratory services. The study was conducted in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ashanti Region, Ghana, from March 8th to November 26th, 2021. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with seven (7) health managers and thirteen (13) laboratory managers across various levels and types of healthcare facilities (Government, Christian Health Association of Ghana (CHAG), and Private). Inductive and deductive multistage thematic analysis was used to interpret the data. Results The thematic analysis identified key themes shared among all participants, highlighting the main barriers to delivering quality medical laboratories as “Laboratory Financing,” “Quality Assurance,” “Human Resource Capacity,” “Laboratory workspace and facilities “, and “Policy and Regulation.” Conclusion Financial constraints and the limited control exercised by medical laboratories within the healthcare sector constitute significant barriers to delivering quality medical laboratory services.

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