GPHC’s Pathology Lab receives GYS 170 Certification

Following its commissioning by President Irfaan Ali last year, the Pathology Lab of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has received its GYS 170 Certification.

At a ceremony to celebrate the milestone achievement on Tuesday, health authorities lauded the accomplishment, especially as it was realised within just one year.

A pathology lab analyses bodily samples like blood, tissue, and urine to identify diseases and abnormalities by examining them under a microscope, providing crucial information to doctors for diagnosis and treatment planning, essentially acting as a “detective” to uncover the cause of a patient’s health issues.

The certification is valid for two years and during this period, the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS) will be visiting, unannounced, to ensure that the requirements are being maintained.

Adherence to the standard will guarantee a reduction in any risk of contamination, will enable healthcare providers to make informed decisions, will enhance cross border collaboration, and will provide the framework for continuous improvements.

According to Executive Director of GNBS Trevor Bassoo, the GYS 170 Certification was revised in 2001 to align with the ISO/IEC 17025 standards, taking locally certified laboratories, such as this one, one step closer towards international certification and accreditation.

“The number of certified laboratories not only demonstrate an increase in the availability of such facilities in Guyana, but it also demonstrates a noteworthy shift towards the adherence to standards which contributes to more reliable test results and by extension, a healthier population,” Bassoo shared.

Minister of Health, Dr Frank Anthony pointed out that Guyana has much better equipment than what is available in some labs in Europe. He offered that this one will play a significant role in diagnosing cancers.

“Before this lab was opened, we were very contented to just know that we had some pathology, whether it’s a breast sample…but very often, we weren’t able to understand what type,” he said.

All of the histopathology services available now, though, makes a big difference in how treatment is administered, the minister noted.

GPHC’s Chief Executive Officer Robbie Rambarran said the intention is to get ISO accreditation by the end of the second quarter.

He pointed out that additional staff are needed to help in reducing the turnaround time for diagnosis and bring it down to five days. Exceptional work has already been done, he noted, in bringing it down from in excess of 30 days to seven.

“We have invested in the staff who are here. Some of the technologists went to Mount Sinai for training…we are committed to train the staff because we want to provide a service that is reliable, one that is accurate, one that the patients are comfortable with and can trust.”