The Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has recertified the Georgetown Medical Centre (Prashad Hospital) Laboratory recently under its Laboratory Certification Programme.The centre continues to meet the requirements of the Guyana Standard (GYS 170) – General requirements for the operation of a laboratory.

The renewal certificate was presented by GNBS Executive Director Evadnie Enniss to Georgetown Medical Centre Laboratory Manager Shalini Ramsahai.

At the simple, but significant recertification ceremony, Enniss stressed the importance of operating a certified laboratory and urged laboratory staff to continue to do what is required to maintain the certification.

She also encouraged them to start the walk towards ISO 15189 Standard accreditation which is internationally-recognised.

Meanwhile, Ramsahai expressed gratitude to the GNBS and her support staff for their efforts in ensuring that the laboratory maintains national standard certification.

Through its National Laboratory Certification Programme, the GNBS determines whether laboratories involved in testing, measurement and/or calibration activities are satisfying the criteria outlined in the National Standard.

Laboratories, which conform to the requirements of this standard, are provided with formal recognition that they have implemented a laboratory management system, thus providing quality assurance for customers as they identify and select reliable testing or calibration services to meet their needs.

The GNBS also carries out surveillance and monitoring activities during the period of certification to ensure that laboratories are maintaining the system.

The Georgetown Medical Centre Laboratory is among a group of certified medical laboratories in Guyana. These include the GPHC Medical Laboratory, St Joseph Mercy Hospital Laboratory, Eureka Medical Laboratories, Dr Balwant Singh Hospital Laboratory, Medical Arts Centre Laboratory, Quest Medical Centre Laboratory and Woodlands Hospital Laboratory.

Uncertified laboratories that are interested in becoming certified can approach the GNBS, which is always ready to assist them in implementing a management system to become certified.