–plans in place for lab to become certified centre for influenza testing in the region

GUYANA’S National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) was awarded the GYS 170 Certification by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), on Monday, October 7.
According to a press release from the Ministry of Health, the GNBS certifies clinical and testing laboratories under the National Standard GYS 170:2021 which outlines the general requirements for laboratory operations.

The press release stated that the certification highlights the unwavering commitment of the laboratory to delivering top-tier services to clients, partners and the broader community while ensuring the highest standards of service quality and reliability.
During his remarks, Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony congratulated the lab staff on the achievement and emphasised the importance of confidentiality in service delivery and health care.

He said: “If we are diagnosing various diseases, confidentiality is a fundamental requirement. Patients must have confidence that the results they receive are accurate, reflecting the best practices and international standards.”

Further, the Health Minister disclosed that the Ministry is moving to expand the range of services offered at the NPHRL.

As such, he revealed that by the end of 2024, they are working on having the lab become a certified centre for influenza testing within the region.

Meanwhile, Laboratory Director of the NPHRL, Joyce Whyte-Chin expressed gratitude to the GNBS for the rigorous evaluation progress which she said played a significant role in shaping the current capabilities of the lab.

Added to this, Executive Director of the GNBS, Trevor Bassoo, emphasised that the certification reflects the government’s dedication to maintaining quality, accuracy, and dependability in Guyana’s healthcare system.