THE Guyana Livestock Development Authority (GLDA) is celebrating a major milestone in veterinary science and public health with the successful recertification of its Veterinary Services Laboratory under the GYS 170:2021 standard. The certification was formally awarded by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), marking four consecutive years of quality assurance and technical excellence.

Located at GLDA’s headquarters in Mon Repos, the Veterinary Services Laboratory (VSL) remains the country’s only public veterinary diagnostic facility. Since its initial certification on April 1, 2021, the laboratory has consistently met and maintained the rigorous requirements of the GYS 170:2021 standard—Guyana’s national benchmark for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
The official re-certification handover ceremony saw Mr. Peter Ho-A-Lim, Technical Officer, and Ms. Faith Phillips, Administrative Clerk of the GNBS, present the certificate, commemorative plaque, and associated documents to Dr. Dwight Walrond, Chief Executive Officer of the GLDA, and Ms. Cherie Rampertab, Laboratory Quality Manager of the VSL.

Also witnessing the handover were Deputy CEO (Technical), Dr. Praimnauth Tihul; Acting Laboratory Manager, Dr. Johaine McAllister; and Laboratory Supervisors Ms. Zenzie Goring (Serology), Ms. Heermala Kalika (Parasitology), Ms. Shevon Layne (Histopathology), and Mr. Lorenzo Richards (Molecular Biology).

GLDA officials highlighted the re-certification as a testament to the commitment and technical competence of the laboratory team, and reaffirmed the authority’s dedication to upholding high standards in veterinary diagnostics, animal health, and public safety across Guyana.