TO further improve the services being offered, Dr. Shiwnandan’s Clinic Inc. on Monday received its ISO 9001:2015 certification from Global Compliance Service Guyana Inc., becoming the ninth company to get such accreditation this year.

The clinic has been providing general medicine, ultrasound, endoscopy, and laboratory services, for more than 25 years.

The health facility is now ISO 9001-certified for the provision of complete medical certificates for oil and gas workers and other seafarers.
Over the years, the clinic has also ventured into providing services to the local oil and gas sector, thereby putting it in the opportune position to benefit from ISO certification.

Companies certified to the ISO 9001:2015 standard have established a quality management system (QMS), which provides a framework for delivering consistently, quality products and services as defined within its scope of certification.

ISO 9001 is the internationally recognised standard for a QMS developed and published by the International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO). This certification provides a model for companies of all types and sizes to improve internal systems, build quality management systems and operate effectively at different levels, including the ability to focus on customer requirements and constantly find ways to become resilient and sustainable.

This standard is based on seven quality-management principles: highlighting a strong customer focus, involvement of high-level company management; employee engagement; evidence-based decision-making and outlined process-based approach; relationship management and ongoing improvement of business operations.

Dr. Ravindra Shiwnandan, in his remarks at the certification ceremony, noted that he knew that the next step to continue the development of his business would be ISO certification.

Several international organisations recognised the clinic as an approved medical provider, including Oil and Gas UK, the UK’s Maritime and Coastguard Agency, Vanuatu Maritime Services Ltd., and the United States Coast Guard.

Thus, a wide range of medical certificates, including OGUK, ENG 1, MLC 2006, and USCG, are issued to meet the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW)’s applicable requirements. In this regard, all drug and alcohol, and fitness tests must meet the required standards.

Also supplementing these offerings are Medical Review Officer and clinical psychology services.
“We understand that the ISO standards will be the normal standards in the world of business and so we decided to pursue certification.

We became conscious of the quality-management system and we realised as we prepared for the ISO certification that there were many things that we were doing right, but that there were also some things that we needed to improve on,” said Dr. Shiwnandan.

Meanwhile, Candelle Bostwick, Global Compliance Service Guyana Inc.’s Chief Executive Officer, congratulated the company on its ISO certification. She highlighted the commitment shown by the team to prepare themselves for the audits before getting certified.

She acknowledged the sacrifices of the top management of the clinic to complete the certification saying, “One of the things that stood out with Dr. Shiwnandan is that he said let’s go through this process ourselves, without a consultant.

And that was something that was very impressive and showcased his commitment. He, his wife, and his entire team went through the process together. There are many businesses out there that the top management cannot find the time to work on their certification, but not here and that is a clear demonstration of commitment.”