Laboratory Department

1. BACKGROUND TO THE PROGRAMME

The Department of Medical Laboratory Science and Technology was established in 2013 with a specific mandate of educating Medical Laboratory Science and Technology in the country to the highest international professional standards. Medical laboratory service in Somaliland faces a major challenge in providing laboratory test results that the local and international community can trust. Achieving, maintaining and improving accuracy, timeliness, and reliability are major challenges for health laboratories. Somaliland needs to build national capacities for the detection of, and response to, public health events of international concern when they decided to engage in the International Health Regulations implementation process. A sound management of quality in health laboratories SU will enable the country to produce graduates who can perform medical laboratory tests and produce results that the national community will relay on according their medical needs.

The Department’s Mission Statement is:

“To educate and train medical laboratory technologists or scientists who will provide competent and professional medical services to individuals, family and community.”

The major objective in the Department is to exploit the exciting nature of the Medical Laboratory Science profession to address the most basic needs of society. This can be attained through:

  1. Recognize the community as basis of diagnosis and control of diseases.
  2. Recognize other members in the medical profession as team players.
  3. Uphold integrity and ethics at all times.
  4. Maintain quality of work using standard operating procedures (SPOs)

Laboratory medicine has witnessed advances and revolutionary growth in new technologies. In addition, the current upsurge in emerging infectious diseases coupled with the political instability that has been witnessed in the horn of Africa,  have enforced the regulation of laboratory medicine education; putting emphasis on efficient and effective laboratory services in Somalia.

An element of counselling has been included to equip the graduate with the necessary skills to handle challenges that can be witnessed especially now that the country is stabilising politically.

 

JUSTIFICATION FOR THE PROGRAMME

Against this background, there is a felt need to re-equip and transform the laboratory professionals with new methods for the future, through training. Some of the new skills set, among others, include the increasing use of Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) for decision-making, flagging, assisting and managing of medical data.

Therefore; SU together with its experts, students, community leaders, social activists came up with this curriculum that is geared towards addressing the developments that are taking place in health care delivery.

Additionally, students start practical training in different laboratories in third semester year two and make practical rounds in many hospitals including SU Hospital and its continues in every semester until graduation period. The program is conducted through course work and examinations. At the third and fourth year of study, students are prepared to do independent supervised study in the area of their choice, and sat final practical and written examinations.

 

Students can enrol for the programme with the intention of achieving the qualification of a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (BSc, MLS).

OBJECTIVES AND EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES

The BSc. Medical Laboratory Science Degree programme aims at producing professionals who will address the most basic needs of society that is, plan, design, promote, diagnose, prevent and maintain the health systems that sustain human health and meet national development goals.

  • Educational Objectives

The educational objectives of this programme are to:

  • Apply the principles that form the basis of Medical Laboratory practice.
  • Practice safety precautions in a Medical and Research Laboratory.
  • Select, set up and operate laboratory equipment safely using the provided SOPs.
  • Carry out clinical laboratory procedures to obtain accurate results
  • Identify clinical significance of laboratory tests
  • Interpret laboratory results.
  • Carry out epidemiological research.
  • Manage health care services and resources.
  • Participate in the multidisciplinary planning, implementation, coordination and evaluation of healthcare of the individual and community.
  • Contribute to the development of Science and Technology through creativity and application of acquired knowledge, skills and attitudes.
  • Demonstrate the ability to evaluate own performance.
  • Plan continuing education for self and others.
  • Observe the professional code of conduct and ethics.

Program Outcomes

Upon completion of this programme, the graduates in Medical Laboratory Sciences will be adequately prepared to perform the following roles and functions:

  • Collect appropriate samples for clinical laboratory analysis and research following Standard Operation Procedures.
  • Process clinical and research specimens according to the Standard Operation Procedures of the specific test requested.
  • Carry out Bacteriological, Parasitological, Hematological, Immunological, Blood Transfusion Sciences, and Clinical Chemistry, Virological and Mycological laboratory tests for screening, diagnosis and research following the respective Standard Operation Procedures.
  • Report and interpret laboratory results to facilitate intervention according to the reference ranges.
  • Manage, organize and administer the laboratory resources for efficient delivery of laboratory services following managerial principles.
  • Initiate and participate in the improvement of diagnostic procedures
  • Create awareness and appreciation of laboratory services to the general public.
  • Act in a professional manner for demonstrating effective communication techniques and interpersonal skills according to the code of ethics governing laboratory profession.
  • Conduct research.
  • Participate in internal and external quality assessments.
  • Participate in continuing professional development.
  • Carry out epidemiological survey
  • Ensure the maintenance of safety in laboratory practice