What You Need to Know
The Sir Edgar Laurent Tuberculosis Laboratory in Mauritius has been awarded ISO 15189 accreditation, marking a significant milestone in healthcare standards. The accreditation was celebrated in a ceremony attended by health officials, highlighting the laboratory’s commitment to accurate and reliable testing, crucial in the fight against tuberculosis, which poses a public health challenge in the,
Africa-Press – Mauritius. The Sir Edgar Laurent Tuberculosis (TB) Laboratory of the Central Health Laboratory of the Ministry of Health and Wellness, has been awarded accreditation by the MAURITAS for testing in the medical field, in accordance with the international standard ISO 15189.
In this context, a ceremony was held, this morning, at the Dr AG Jeetoo Hospital in the presence of the Junior Minister of Health and Wellness, Mrs Anishta Babooram, and the Director of Laboratory Services, Dr Janaki Sonoo.
The laboratory was accredited following an on-site assessment conducted by a team of both local and foreign assessors.
In her address, the Junior Minister remarked that the Sir Edgar Laurent Laboratory has set a national benchmark by becoming the first laboratory to attain international accreditation. This achievement, she said, demonstrates compliance with global standards and the ongoing efforts of the Government to enhancing healthcare and laboratory services. She indicated that such accreditation ensures that laboratory results are accurate, reliable, and fit for guiding clinical decision-making.
This progress, stated Mrs Babooram, is critical in the fight against TB, which remains a major public health challenge in Mauritius, with some 100 to 150 new cases reported regularly. Early detection, effective treatment, and robust surveillance systems are essential to reducing transmission and saving lives, she recalled.
Speaking on the challenges faced in the laboratory services such as shortage of specialised personnel and limited infrastructure, she underpinned that plans for the development of a modern laboratory complex are underway alongside efforts to strengthen human resource capacity through training and professional development.
For her part, Dr Sonoo underlined the critical role of laboratory services in the health sector especially in providing accurate diagnosis, treatment, and disease control. TB testing, she emphasised, needs to be reliable, precise and in line with the international norms thus requiring laboratories to undergo certification and authentication. This accreditation, she noted, confirms a laboratory’s competence, compliance with international norms, and commitment to delivering quality services.
The Sir Edgar Laurent Tuberculosis Laboratory has become the first in Mauritius to achieve ISO 15189 accreditation, a recognition that underscores its compliance with international standards. This accreditation is vital for ensuring the accuracy and reliability of laboratory results, which are essential for effective clinical decision-making and public health strategies.
The fight against tuberculosis remains a pressing issue in Mauritius, with a steady number of new cases reported annually. The government’s efforts to enhance laboratory services and healthcare infrastructure are critical in addressing these challenges, ensuring that the population receives timely and effective medical care
