09 Jun 2024

Medical laboratories in health care provision have been urged to embrace quality for better health results.

Speaking at a handover ceremony of accreditation certificate to Optimum Health Medical Laboratory on Thursday, Assistant Minister of Health, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe said medical laboratories in healthcare provision could not be overstated as they were the cornerstone of diagnostic accuracy, providing crucial information that guided medical decisions and ultimately impacted patient outcomes.

Mr Lelatisitswe said it was therefore imperative to ensure the reliability and accuracy of laboratory testing to the delivery of quality healthcare services.

He recognised the commitment and determination of the Optimum Health Medical Laboratory team in developing and implementing a patient focused Quality Management System that had been recognised by the regional Accreditation Body, Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS), to be in line with the requirements of ISO standards.

He said the accreditation process that Optimum Health Medical Laboratory had undergone was a rigorous and comprehensive process.

“It demonstrates their adherence to stringent standards, their commitment to continuous improvement and dedication to providing accurate and reliable test results to healthcare providers and patients alike,” he said.

He further stated that it meant commitment to producing quality results that could be recognised by international healthcare providers.

Mr Lelatisitswe therefore urged all health providers to recommit themselves to the principles of quality, accuracy and patient-centered care.

“Let us continue to uphold the highest standards in medical laboratory services, strive to improve and innovate for the betterment of our healthcare system and the well-being of our communities,” he said.

Handing over the certificate, SADCAS chief executive officer, Ms Eve Gadzikwa acknowledged Optimum Health Laboratory for its accreditation to the international ISO 15189:2012 for Blood Bank, clinical chemistry, immunology, serology and microbiology.

Ms Gadzikwa indicated that Optimum Health Laboratory was now an international recognised testing laboratory.

She highlighted that the benefits and importance of 15189 accreditation in medical testing, was that the medical laboratory services played a pivotal role in ensuring that patients received the most appropriate treatment and care.

She said it was imperative that medical laboratories effectively met the needs of all patients and clinical personnel responsible for patient care.

“The laboratory’s aim is to not only to provide accurate results, but to do so for the right patient within a meaningful timeframe with regard to clinical management, using appropriate laboratory procedures and with respect to ethics, confidentiality and the safety of the patient,” she said.

Earlier on, Optimum Health Medical Laboratory director, Mr Desire Mhlabi said Optimum Health Laboratory was founded in January 2018 with a staff complement of seven people and now had 44 staff members.

In 2021, he said Optimum Health Laboratory was identified to be a referral facility for the Botswana National Health Laboratory.

“The accreditation is a start of a journey with commitment, excellence, quality testing services, on time and affordable services,” he said. ENDS