Laboratory accreditation provides economic opportunities and medical laboratory excellence in resource limited countries

Abstract

Many developing nations have limited resources, not only in funding, but also skilled laboratory workers partially due to lack of education/training facilities, and comparatively low wages to the international community. Accreditation of laboratories provides a clear pathway to ensure proper management, training and retention of laboratory personnel. Accreditation is a tool to demonstrate the competence of medical laboratories and ensure the delivery of timely, accurate and reliable results. Under ISO 15189:5.1 laboratories must include a substantial investment in their personnel, to ensure and maintain best practices. Approximately 28 nations are signatories of the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.1 The WHO-AFRO Stepwise Accreditation Program provides an attainable framework for lab accreditation for all 55 nations of Africa.2 The establishment of ASLM and SADCAS are additional examples of the global effort to enhance laboratory accreditation programs. Throughout the world today, laboratory accreditation has been increasingly recognized as an effective tool to remove technical barriers to trade as well as to better quality of life. Accreditation by an objective, external body is an excellent way to incorporate accountability for laboratory services. Through the application of national and international standards, government, procurers and consumers can have confidence in laboratory systems. Many developing nations have limited resources, not only in funding, but also skilled laboratory workers partially due to lack of education/training facilities, and comparatively low wages to the international community. Accreditation of laboratories provides a clear pathway to ensure proper management, training and retention of laboratory personnel. Accreditation is a tool to demonstrate the competence of medical laboratories and ensure the delivery of timely, accurate and reliable results. Under ISO 15189:5.1 laboratories must include a substantial investment in their personnel, to ensure and maintain best practices. Approximately 28 nations are signatories of the Asia Pacific Laboratory Accreditation Cooperation.1 The WHO-AFRO Stepwise Accreditation Program provides an attainable framework for lab accreditation for all 55 nations of Africa.2 The establishment of ASLM and SADCAS are additional examples of the global effort to enhance laboratory accreditation programs. Throughout the world today, laboratory accreditation has been increasingly recognized as an effective tool to remove technical barriers to trade as well as to better quality of life. Accreditation by an objective, external body is an excellent way to incorporate accountability for laboratory services. Through the application of national and international standards, government, procurers and consumers can have confidence in laboratory systems.