The MLW Laboratory pursued ISO15189:2012 accreditation for its services from Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) which plays a key role towards the achievement of SADC goals in trade facilitation and in the protection of health, safety, and the environment. The accreditation was recently provided, and we spoke to Laboratory Quality Officer Joshua Kaphika to learn more on the process and what it means to MLW.
What does the accreditation mean for MLW?
It is a great boost to our operations. It will increase the trust and confidence that our stakeholders have towards us. The Laboratory personnel will be conducting their work with great confidence knowing that they are producing high quality results.
What does the accreditation mean for the Laboratory and the four scopes (Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology and Serology)?
This means that MLW is competent to carry out procedures under the scope, and we have demonstrated ability to produce accurate and reliable test results This also means that the confidence in test results will be strengthened and we will be attracting professional references because to our accuracy and competence.
How long did it take for the accreditation to be awarded and what were the processes for attaining the accreditation?
The accreditation journey has taken nearly 4 years. The process involved a lot of Laboratory operations including, but not limited to, documentation of procedure and policies.
Is there any information that you would like to add?
We would like to acknowledge and appreciate the efforts of all Laboratory staff especially the CORE Laboratory staff. The efforts they put to deliver high-quality work for the organisation is commendable. Kudos!
We also appreciate the Senior Management Team for the support it provided to the Laboratory directly and indirectly and all Departments particularly Facilities, Procurement, Finance, IT, Data, and the Clinical Team.
We also appreciate the efforts and continued support of UMOYO consultants.
Congratulations, Laboratory team!
