September 16, 2021 – Hamilton ON: “Over the past few weeks, the Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario has been dismayed to see anti-vaccine protests outside hospitals.
Medical laboratory professionals are exhausted after a year and a half of completing 17M COVID-19 tests in addition to the 244.8M tests they process annually for other conditions. 87% of medical laboratory professionals are experiencing burnout and 42% contemplating leaving the field or retiring early.[1]
Medical laboratory professionals have been testing around the clock extremely short-staffed. They should not face an additional burden of being harassed on their way to work. Patients and their families also need their access to care to be safe and free of disruption.
Healthcare professionals have shouldered an overwhelming burden over COVID-19. They have worked long hours, quickly upgraded processes and equipment, and relocated to support pandemic care. 80% of medical laboratory professionals reported their home life has been impacted by the extra workload.[2] They are working short-staffed (96%), working overtime (93%), asked to come in on their days off (72%), and delaying vacation (64%).[3]
Healthcare professionals deserve only our most sincere gratitude for everything they have done and continue to do. They deserve safe and undisrupted entry to their workplaces. They deserve respect and care when they leave to return home to their families at the end of a very long day.
We urge protesters to ensure patients and healthcare workers are unharmed and implore them not to misdirect their frustration with vaccination onto overworked healthcare professionals.”
- Michelle Hoad, CEO, Medical Laboratory Professionals’ Association of Ontario.
Medical Laboratory Professionals' Association of Ontario (MLPAO - formerly the Ontario Society of Medical Technologists - OSMT) is a non-profit health professional organization founded in 1963 with almost 4000 members across the province.
The MLPAO represents the interests of Medical Laboratory Professionals in Ontario with government, regulatory bodies, educational institutions, health care professions and other stakeholders.
For further information: Sonya Singh, Media Contact - sonyaksingh@consultant.com
[1] Based on a survey of medical laboratory professionals in April 2021. [2] Based on a survey of medical laboratory professionals in April 2021. [3] Based on a survey of medical laboratory professionals in September 2021.
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