THE GUYANA National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) has recertified the Dr Balwant Singh Hospital Laboratory under its Laboratory Certification Programme.According to a release from the GNBS, the laboratory continued to meet the requirements of the Guyana Standard (GYS 170) – general requirements for the operation of a laboratory.
This recertification became effective on Thursday, April 28, 2016 and outgoing Executive Director of the GNBS, Evadnie Enniss, presented the certificate to Laboratory Director, Dr. Madhu Singh.
Addressing staff members of the laboratory at the simple presentation ceremony, Enniss in her final public act in the capacity of executive director of the Standards Bureau encouraged them to continue to do what is required to maintain standardisation in the laboratory through certification.
She also encouraged the management of the laboratory to commence working towards accreditation to the ISO 15189 standard, which is recognised internationally.
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.
QUALITY ASSURANCE

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 recertification of the Dr Balwant Singh Medical Laboratory has kept it among the group of certified medical laboratories in Guyana, which includes the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation Medical Laboratory,the St Joseph Mercy Hospital Laboratory, Eureka Medical Laboratories Inc., Medical Arts Centre Laboratory,the Georgetown Medical Centre, Quest Medical Centre Laboratory and Woodlands Hospital Laboratory.
Uncertified laboratories that are interested in becoming certified can approach the GNBS to be sensitised about the certification process, the release added.