Fellowship Training Programme
Faculty of Medical Laboratory, Public Health, and Field Epidemiology
Overview
The Faculty of Medical Laboratory, Public Health, and Field Epidemiology is the broadest of the five faculties, covering epidemiology, laboratory management, veterinary laboratory science, and instrumentation. It produces specialists who bridge laboratory science with public health policy, disease surveillance, biosafety, and laboratory infrastructure across the ECOWAS region.
Epidemiology
Epidemiology training equips laboratory scientists with the population-level analytical skills to investigate disease patterns, design surveillance systems, and inform public health policy. Fellows learn to integrate laboratory data with epidemiological methods to strengthen the evidence base for disease control in West Africa.
Scope of Training
Disease surveillance system design, outbreak investigation, environmental health assessment, chronic disease monitoring, health data analysis, and GIS-based spatial epidemiology.
Environmental Epidemiology and Toxicology
Investigation of the health effects of environmental exposures — water and air quality, occupational hazards, and chemical contaminants — using laboratory and epidemiological methods.
Core Competencies
- Environmental sampling and exposure assessment
- Dose-response analysis and risk characterisation
- Water and air quality testing protocols
- Occupational health biomonitoring
Chronic Disease Epidemiology
Laboratory and epidemiological approaches to the surveillance, screening, and monitoring of non-communicable diseases including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer across populations.
Core Competencies
- Population-based screening programme design
- Biomarker surveillance for NCDs
- Cohort and case-control study methodology
- Health data registry management
Outbreak Investigation and Response
Rapid laboratory response to disease outbreaks, integrating specimen collection, pathogen identification, and epidemiological analysis to contain and control infectious disease threats.
Core Competencies
- Outbreak specimen collection and transport
- Rapid diagnostic deployment
- Epidemiological curve construction and analysis
- Multi-agency coordination and reporting
Advanced Laboratory Techniques
Mastery of advanced laboratory methods applicable to public health — molecular epidemiology, whole genome sequencing for outbreak tracking, and high-throughput screening for population studies.
Core Competencies
- Molecular epidemiology and strain typing
- Whole genome sequencing for surveillance
- High-throughput screening methodologies
- Laboratory data integration with surveillance platforms
Health Economics and Policy
Analysis of the economic dimensions of laboratory services and health interventions, equipping fellows to contribute to evidence-based health policy and resource allocation decisions.
Core Competencies
- Cost-effectiveness analysis of laboratory interventions
- Health technology assessment
- Laboratory service financing models
- Policy brief development and stakeholder communication
Geographic Information Systems in Epidemiology
Application of GIS technology to map disease distribution, identify spatial clusters, and visualise environmental risk factors — an increasingly vital skill for public health laboratory scientists.
Core Competencies
- Spatial data collection and georeferencing
- Disease mapping and cluster analysis
- Environmental risk layer integration
- Dashboard development for health surveillance
Laboratory Management
Laboratory Management prepares senior laboratory professionals for leadership roles in planning, organising, and directing laboratory services. Trainees develop competencies in quality management systems, financial planning, regulatory compliance, and the strategic development of laboratory networks.
Scope of Training
Quality management system implementation, laboratory accreditation preparation, financial management, human resource development, biosafety programme oversight, and laboratory infrastructure planning.
Entrepreneurship and Project Management in Laboratory Services
Training in business planning, project lifecycle management, and entrepreneurial approaches to establishing and sustaining laboratory services in resource-variable settings.
Core Competencies
- Business plan development for laboratory enterprises
- Project management methodologies (planning, execution, monitoring)
- Grant writing and donor engagement
- Public-private partnership models for laboratory services
Health Economics and Policy in Laboratory Services
Application of health economic principles specifically to laboratory service delivery — costing, budgeting, and making the economic case for laboratory investment to policymakers.
Core Competencies
- Laboratory service costing and budgeting
- Return-on-investment analysis for diagnostic services
- National laboratory policy development
- Essential diagnostics list advocacy
Laboratory Design and Infrastructure Planning
Planning and designing laboratory facilities that meet biosafety standards, workflow efficiency requirements, and regulatory specifications — from renovation of existing facilities to greenfield construction.
Core Competencies
- Laboratory layout and workflow optimisation
- Biosafety level facility specifications
- Equipment procurement and lifecycle planning
- Utility and ventilation system requirements
Biosafety and Biosecurity in Laboratory Settings
Comprehensive training in biological risk assessment, containment strategies, and security protocols for laboratories handling dangerous pathogens — ensuring the safety of personnel, communities, and the environment.
Core Competencies
- Biological risk assessment frameworks
- Biosafety cabinet selection, certification, and use
- Spill response and decontamination procedures
- Dual-use research oversight and security protocols
Veterinary Laboratory Science
Veterinary Laboratory Science applies laboratory diagnostic methods to animal health, bridging veterinary and human medicine through the One Health framework. Trainees gain skills in diagnosing zoonotic diseases, supporting veterinary clinical care, and contributing to food safety and animal disease surveillance programmes.
Scope of Training
Veterinary clinical pathology, zoonotic disease diagnosis, food safety testing, animal disease surveillance, and One Health laboratory collaboration.
Instrumentation and Laboratory Technology
This specialty focuses on the maintenance, calibration, troubleshooting, and management of biomedical laboratory instrumentation. Trainees develop the technical expertise to ensure laboratory equipment operates reliably and meets performance specifications — a critical need across laboratories in the ECOWAS region where equipment downtime directly impacts diagnostic capacity.
Scope of Training
Preventive and corrective maintenance, calibration and verification, equipment procurement and installation, spare parts management, and user training programmes.
Training Structure
The WAPCMLS Fellowship Training Programme is structured into three progressive stages spanning five (5) years.
Primary Examination
A qualifying assessment serving as the prerequisite for entry into Part I (Junior Residency).
Part I — Junior Residency Programme
A two-year structured training programme at an accredited training centre, covering the core specialty areas of the faculty.
Membership Certification (MWAPCMLS)
Upon successful completion of Part I, candidates are awarded the Membership of the College, which qualifies them for entry into Part II (Senior Residency). Members may also enter practice and return later to continue.
Part II — Senior Residency Programme
A three-year advanced training in a chosen sub-specialty, including research, dissertation work, and advanced written and practical examinations.
Fellowship Certification (FWAPCMLS)
Upon passing the Part II examinations and successful dissertation defence, candidates are awarded the Fellowship of the College and invested at the annual ceremony.
Entry Requirements
GENERAL REQUIREMENT
- BMLS, B.Sc, AIMLS, or MLSD qualification
- Fully registered and licensed Medical Laboratory Scientist
Minimum post qualification experience
- BMLS/BSc MLS holders: 4 years
- MLSD holders: 2 years
- Applicants with accredited M.Sc. qualifications may obtain exemption from the Primary Fellowship examination.
- Enrollment in a College accredited institution or hospital is required for Part I and Part II Fellowship training.
Curriculum
Curriculum details will be published here.
Faculty Members
Dr Ignatius Awinibuno, Mls.D,PhD, FWAPCMLS
Faculty Chairman
Dr. Ignatius Abowini Awinibuno is a Biomedical Scientist and health policy professional with extensive experience in medical laboratory science, health systems management, and allied health administration. His career spans clinical practice, education, research, and leadership within Ghana’s health sector. He has served in senior technical and managerial roles, contributing to laboratory quality improvement, clinical governance, and the development of policies supporting allied health services.
Dr George Danquah Damptey, Mls.D, MPH, FWAPCMLS
Training Cordinator
Dr. George Danquah Damptey is a distinguished Ghanaian medical laboratory scientist and public health expert currently serving as a Regional Medical Laboratory Scientist for the Ghana Health Service in the Eastern Region. With a career dedicated to advancing diagnostic medicine and healthcare leadership, he has played a pivotal role in strengthening regional laboratory services and raising public awareness for genetic conditions like Sickle Cell Disease.
Accredited Training Centres
Accredited training centres will be listed here.
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