By JUSTIN AUTA

The Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN) has presented International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 15189:2022 Accreditation Certificates to 11 medical laboratory facilities across the country.

Dr Donald Ofili, acting Registrar of MLSCN, said while presenting the certificates on Tuesday in Abuja, that the development would strengthen reliable diagnostic services in Nigeria.

Ofili described the development as a “defining moment” in the advancement of quality medical laboratory services in the country.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the ISO developed and published an international standard that specifies the requirements for quality and competence in medical laboratories.

The registrar said the accredited laboratories comprised two private facilities, two military, five public and two research facilities that satisfied the stringent requirements for international accreditation.

He explained that ISO 15189:2022 accreditation confirmed laboratory competence, impartiality and consistent operations in accordance with internationally accepted standards.

He added that the accreditation enhances patient safety, supports accurate clinical decision-making, strengthens disease surveillance and improves Nigeria’s competitiveness in global health services.

“It also enhances patient safety, supports accurate clinical decision making, strengthens disease surveillance and improves Nigerian trade and service competitiveness in the global health arena,” he said.

He emphasised that accreditation was a continuous journey requiring internal audits, management reviews, risk-based thinking, staff competency development, equipment maintenance and strict adherence to documented procedures.

He assured that the MLSCN would conduct periodic surveillance assessments to ensure continued compliance with accreditation requirements and safeguard public trust in the national accreditation framework.

“These certificates, being presented today, signify a high level of responsibility.

“Sustaining accreditation demands continuous internal audits, management reviews, risk-based thinking, staff competency, development, equipment maintenance and strict adherence to documented procedures.

“The council remains resolute in maintaining rigorous and acquisition processes in full alignment with ISO 15189, 2022,” he said.

He, therefore, urged laboratories yet to embrace accreditation to begin the process, stressing that quality assurance was fundamental to modern healthcare delivery and protecting public trust.

Prof Joy Shuaibu, Country Director, Sightsavers Nigeria, said that the organisation provided equipment, restructured the facilities to ensure accreditation for Nigeria Institute of Medical Research (NIMR), Yaba Lagos and Multidisciplinary Research Laboratory (MRL), Osun State University Osogbo.

Shuaibu, represented by Perpetua Amodu-Agbi, NTDs Survey Coordinator, Sightsavers Nigeria, added that the Carter Centre Laboratory (TCC), Jos, and ACENTDFB, ABU Zaria were still in the process of getting certified.

She added that the support was part of the BLON Project (2022–2025), which supported Onchocerciasis (OV) and Lymphatic Filariasis (LF) assessments in Nigeria.

“The health system strengthening component focused on providing technical support to Nigeria’s NTDs collaborating laboratories to attain ISO 15189 Accreditation.

“This strategic effort positions the laboratories to deliver reliable diagnostic services for Nigeria and the wider region,” she said.

Also, Prof. Odunayo Adebooye, Vice-Chancellor, Osun State University, Osimogbi, thanked Sightsavers Nigeria for their support.

Adebooye, who was represented by Prof. Sunday Akinde, Provost, College of Science, Engineering and Technology, said: “Patients and the entire nation will be very sure of the quality of laboratory services.

“Because if the diagnosis is wrong, everything else will be wrong. But once we get it right with diagnostics, with laboratory testing, then it will be very easy to manage health.

“The accreditation standard that is used in any other part of the world is what was used to accredit all the laboratories and it has a five-year period before being re-accreditation.”

Also, Rear Adm. Idi Abbas, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), said the accreditation to Nigerian Navy Reference Hospitals, Ojo and Calabar, further affirms their quest for excellence in healthcare delivery across all their facilities.

‎Abbas, represented by Dr Ann Ossai, Deputy Director Medical, Nigerian Navy, said the certification assures their personnel, families and the public that the diagnostic results produced by the reference hospitals meet globally accepted standards. ‎

He said, “This accreditation reflects the Navy’s unwavering commitment to professionalism, accountability, and continuous improvement.

”It also underscores our belief that operational effectiveness begins with sound health systems, and that modern military medicine must be evidence-based, patient-centred, and quality-driven.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, said the certification to three FCT districts hospitals, Wuse, Asokoro and Maitama was reaffirmation to the FCT Administration’s commitment to improving quality healthcare services across FCT.

Wike was represented at the event by Dr Abubakar Ahmadu, Director General, FCT Hospital Management Board. (NAN)

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