Togo: ABM-TOGO Congress Advances Ordre Professionnel Biologistes Médicaux

• The Association des biologistes médicaux du Togo (ABM-TOGO) held its statutory congress on September 15 at the Palais des Congrès de Lomé.
• The congress reviewed the 2022-2026 mandate, led by Dr. Kossi Kabo, highlighting achievements like strengthened Ministry of Health ties and Togo's IFBLS adhesion.
• A key unfinished project is the establishment of a professional order for medical biologists in Togo.
• New statutes were adopted, which will determine the configuration of the next bureau and potentially impact the three-year mandate duration.
• Dr. Kossi Kabo called for collective support for the incoming leadership, emphasizing the corporate nature of ongoing professional challenges.

The project to create a professional order for medical biologists in Togo, initiated during the recently concluded mandate, has not yet come to fruition, indicating a dynamic and still-developing regulatory environment for the profession.

Members of the Association des biologistes médicaux du Togo (ABM-TOGO) convened their statutory congress on Tuesday, September 15, at the Palais des Congrès de Lomé. This significant gathering served to present the moral and financial report for the 2022-2026 mandate, marking a pivotal moment for the association as the medical biology profession continues its national and sub-regional structuring efforts. The event also signaled a new phase for ABM-TOGO, reflecting ongoing developments within the professional landscape.

The congress provided an opportunity to review the four-year tenure of the bureau, which operated under the leadership of Dr. Kossi Kabo and whose mandate is concluding with the ongoing congress. During this period, the bureau focused its efforts on five key strategic areas identified at the beginning of its mandate. This comprehensive review not only highlighted past accomplishments but also underscored ongoing challenges and future priorities for the profession in Togo.

The leadership of ABM-TOGO, under Dr. Kossi Kabo, reported significant progress across several fronts. Notable achievements included strengthening dialogue and collaboration with the Ministry of Health, a crucial step for professional recognition and integration. Furthermore, Togo's medical biologists saw their national association gain membership in the International Federation of Biomedical Laboratory Science (IFBLS), enhancing international ties.

The association also fostered extensive collaborations with various foreign and sub-regional professional organizations, expanding its network and influence. A particularly significant development was the closer alignment with the West African College of Medical Laboratory Science (WAPCMLS). This spirit of regional cooperation culminated in Lomé is currently hosting the inaugural statutory and constitutive congress of the Fédération ouest-africaine des associations de biologistes médicaux (FWAMLSA) from September 15 to 19, further solidifying regional professional bonds.

Despite the reported successes, the congress also brought to light several initiatives that remain incomplete. A significant outstanding project is the establishment of a professional order for medical biologists in Togo, an endeavor initiated during the recently concluded mandate. This proposed `Togo ordre professionnel biologistes médicaux` has not yet come to fruition, indicating a dynamic and still-developing regulatory environment for the profession.

For legal professionals advising healthcare providers or medical professionals in Togo, this situation highlights an evolving regulatory landscape. The absence of a formal `ordre professionnel` means that while efforts are underway for `Réglementation profession biologistes Togo`, the ultimate framework for professional standards, licensing, and compliance requirements is still being shaped. The eventual `Création ordre professionnel santé Togo` for medical biologists could introduce substantial changes to how the profession operates, making it a critical area for ongoing monitoring.

In addition to reviewing past performance, the `ABM-TOGO congrès statutaire bilan` also saw the adoption of new statutes for the association. These amended statutes are specifically designed to redefine the structure and composition of the upcoming bureau, potentially altering the governance model. While the current mandate duration is set at three years, these new statutes could introduce changes to this timeframe or other operational aspects.

Dr. Kossi Kabo, reflecting on his leadership, emphasized that the challenges facing medical biologists are collective, not individual. He urged all `Association des biologistes médicaux du Togo` members to provide full support to the incoming leadership, stressing that the stakes are corporate and transcend personal interests. The congress ultimately served to reinforce the long-term commitment required for the profession's structuring, institutional recognition, and capacity building.

Lawyers advising healthcare providers or medical professionals in Togo should note that the proposed professional order for medical biologists has not yet been established. This indicates an evolving regulatory landscape for the profession, with potential future changes in professional standards, licensing, and compliance requirements once such an order is eventually created.

Source: Reporting from Togolese professional association updates.