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Medical
labs to be accredited
Move
by SLAB to ensure reliability of medical test reports
The
Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment
(SLAB) as the Accreditation authority for Sri Lanka
has successfully launched a national scheme for Accreditation
of Medical/Clinical Laboratories based on International
Standards.
The first two laboratories to qualify for Accreditation
will be granted Accreditation at a ceremony to be held
on 13th November, 2008 at 5.00 pm at the Hotel Trans
Asia, Colombo under the patronage of Prof. Tissa Vitarana,
Minister of Science and Technology and Nimal Siripala
De Silva, Minister of Healthcare and Nutrition.
This is a significant milestone in the Healthcare Systems
in Sri Lanka and would provide an impetus towards the
improvement of the quality of Medical Laboratory Services
in Sri Lanka. Accreditation of medical laboratories
would assure reliability and credibility of the Medical
Laboratory Services and would assist the Medical Professionals,
General Public and other Stakeholders in selecting a
reliable laboratory.
Accreditation of Medical Laboratories by SLAB is based
on ISO 15189:2007 -Medical Laboratories Particular Requirements
for Quality and Competence, and is granted after extensive
evaluation of the technical competence of Laboratories
covering validity of test methods, quality assurance,
equipment maintenance, patient care etc. Assessments
are carried out by Medical Professionals trained as
assessors who are part of the SLAB assessor pool.
Accreditation assures reliability, accuracy and credibility
of results in Medical Tests. Some of the concerns among
the Medical Professionals and general public regarding
the reliability of test reports generated by the many
laboratories both in the State Sector and Private Sector
could be effectively answered through Accreditation.
Accreditation of Medical Laboratories based on ISO 15189:2007
is well accepted worldwide and is the practice in many
countries where Accreditation is a mandatory requirement.
Once Accreditation is granted laboratories are subject
to surveillance and monitoring to assure continuous
compliance with the Accreditation requirements.
Confidence Medical Centre (Pvt) Ltd, Colombo 10 and
Medisense Laboratory (Pvt) Ltd, Colombo 02, are the
first two laboratories that have qualified to include
names in the list of Accredited Medical Laboratories
in Sri Lanka. Many other medical laboratories in the
Private Sector and State Sector are now working towards
gaining Accreditation. This initiative is expected to
play a significant role in improvement of Medical Laboratory
Testing Service in the country contributing to the improvements
in the Healthcare Systems in Sri Lanka
The Sri Lanka Accreditation Board for Conformity Assessment
(SLAB) as the National Accreditation Authority operates
as an autonomous body under the purview of the Ministry
of Science and Technology. Strengthening of the Quality
Infrastructure and conformity assessment procedures
in Sri Lanka and enhancing the recognition and acceptance
of products and services in international and domestic
markets are the main objectives of SLAB. Its accreditation
activities cover Laboratories including medical laboratories,
Certification & Inspection Bodies and Bodies certifying
personnel.
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