GPHC Pathology Dept earns 2025 NQA

The Pathology Department of the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) has once again demonstrated its commitment to excellence by winning the prestigious National Quality Award (NQA) at the 2025 ceremony organised by the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS).
The NQA, first introduced in 2017 with only a few participants, has grown substantially over the years, with over 100 entrants in this year’s competition. The programme evaluates organisations across small, medium, and large categories, assessing their performance against the internationally recognised ISO 9001 Quality Management Principles. These principles cover areas such as customer focus, leadership, people engagement, process approach, continuous improvement, evidence-based decision-making, and relationship management.
During assessment, the auditors conducted a complete evaluation, reviewing documented evidence, examining process flows, interviewing staff and observing daily operations. The department’s systems proved strong, consistent and fully functional without any additional preparation.
This unfiltered performance ultimately helped the department secure the overall award in the Small Business category. Although the NQA is based on ISO 9001, an international standard for overall organisational quality management, the excellence of the Pathology Department has been significantly shaped by its ongoing pursuit of international ISO 15189 and ISO 15190 accreditation, specialised standards for laboratory quality and safety.
Earlier this year, the department also achieved certification under the GYS 170 standard, which includes national requirements for laboratory quality and safety. As the team transitioned from these local standards to the internationally recognised ISO 15189 and 15190 frameworks, they had already implemented many systems and processes aligned with ISO 9001.
Winning the National Quality Award is more than an organisational milestone; it signifies a direct benefit to every patient served by GPHC.
This achievement confirms that GPHC’s pathology services meet international standards for quality and safety. Patients can trust in the accuracy, reliability and integrity of laboratory results. The department’s strong systems improve efficiency, patient satisfaction and responsiveness.
The 2025 NQA solidifies the GPHC Pathology Department’s position as a leader in quality healthcare delivery in Guyana. It communicates to the country and the region that the hospital operates to international standards and remains fully dedicated to ongoing improvement, patient-focused service, and excellence at all levels. As the department awaits the outcome of their ISO 15189 and 15190 accreditation audits, the NQA serves as a strong endorsement of their preparedness, capability, and firm commitment to high-quality care.