Sheriff General Hospital lab in Region 3 secures GNBS certification

The Sheriff General Hospital Laboratory in Region Three (Essequibo Islands–West Demerara) has secure national certification from the Guyana National Bureau of Standards (GNBS), completing the assessment process in under five months.

The laboratory was formally presented with its certification on Thursday after meeting the requirements of the GYS 170:2021 standard across four disciplines – biochemistry, immunology, serology, and haematology.
During a brief ceremony held at Sheriff General Hospital’s Inc laboratory in Leonora, West Coast Demerara, that marked this achievement, a plaque was presented by GNBS Executive Director Trevor Bassoo to Shemeeza Ally-Sonoram, Laboratory Quality Manager, and the certificate was presented by GNBS Head (Ag) of Certification Services Keon Rankin to Laboratory Quality Manager Azam Latiff, among others.
Speaking at the ceremony, GNBS Executive Director Trevor Bassoo described the achievement as significant, particularly given the speed at which the laboratory completed the certification process.
Bassoo highlighted the growing number of laboratories receiving certification across the country, noting that the Sheriff General Hospital Laboratory is the second medical laboratory in Region Three to achieve certification within the past month.
“To date, 45 laboratories have been certified across Guyana. Thirty-two of those are medical labs alone, and this development is happening exponentially in recent times. In just the past six years, to give you an idea of how fast we’re moving, of that 45 certified labs, 38 have been certified in the past six years alone, and we’re talking about over a 20-year period there.”
He said the GNBS was pleased with the positive reception to quality, accuracy, and credibility demonstrated through the certification programme.
“We at GNBS are also pleased with the demonstration of positive reception for quality, accuracy, and credibility. And with that said, we must understand what the GYS 170 certification programme is all about. To appreciate the hard work and effort that the personnel within the lab have put in to gain certification and to guarantee reliable test results.”
Continued adherence
Bassoo, however, reminded the laboratory that maintaining the certification would require continued adherence to the required standards.
“But the work is not complete. Now that you have attained certification, you must continue to work to maintain that certification. And I assure you that the GNBS will be conducting surveillances and audits to ensure that you maintain the certification and to ensure that there’s continuous improvement in your systems.”
Meanwhile, Laboratory Quality Manager Latiff said the certification was not an easy undertaking as the hospital continues to build momentum towards ensuring top-tier performance in its laboratory services.
“This is a profound confirmation that the laboratory’s systems, technical competencies, and diagnostic procedures align with nationally accepted requirements for accuracy, impartiality, and excellence. Earning this certification from the GNBS was no small feat. It required rigorous evaluations of operating systems and policies, meticulous documentation, and generally, an unyielding commitment to quality assurance activities.”