Patrons of MDS-Lancet Laboratories Ghana- a routine pathology laboratory with branches throughout Africa- have been assured of accurate laboratory results that could be replicated in other internationally recognized laboratories. This follows the successful confirmation of its ISO GUIDE 17025 accreditation for a range of key routine pathology laboratory tests by the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS). Announcing the confirmation, Dr. Paul Sekyere-Nyantakyi, Chief Executive of MDS-Lancet Laboratories (GH) LTD said: "We are extremely proud to receive this internationally recognised quality control standard, demonstrating MDS-Lancet's commitment to providing diagnostic excellence and thereby improving patient care and service delivery for the people of Ghana and our much valued customers." The accreditation provides external validation, assuring clients and customers that the results produced are accurate, reproducible and comparable to results generated from other laboratories accredited to the ISO GUIDE 17025 standard. SANAS is acknowledged in both South Africa and internationally for its power to accredit laboratories which are competent to carry out specific tasks. The ISO GUIDE 17025 standard specifically accredits calibration laboratories and assesses their competence in developing management systems for quality, administrative and technical operations including testing and calibration. According to Dr. Sekyere- Nyantakyi, the accreditation of MDS-Lancet Laboratories was granted following a rigorous third party assessment of the laboratory's practices and procedures. Dr Peter Cole, Managing Partner of Lancet Laboratories said: "We are tremendously pleased with Ghana's achievement as it's our aim to have all Lancet Laboratory operations accredited to ISO GUIDE 17025. "Accreditation plays a critical role in improving laboratory standards and strengthening healthcare systems. This is particularly pertinent in Africa where we face the challenge of managing and controlling a wide range of infectious and chronic diseases, many of which have reached pandemic proportions." He said MDS-Lancet Laboratories Ghana will be assessed by SANAS annually to ensure they continue to maintain their high-quality laboratory standards and will also be seeking to have additional tests accredited to the internationally recognised ISO GUIDE 17025. “With our state of the art ICT systems and world class Quality Assurance Programme MDS Lancet Laboratories (GH) LTD currently process over 400 patients a day, offering a full range of laboratory services in haematology, microbiology, chemical pathology, immunology,histo-pathology, molecular biology (including DNA paternity testing), cytogenitics, occupational health and clinical trials,” he said. “The lab has over 80 doctors online [with the E-mail: psn@mds-lancet.com] to review reports ensuring our results are accurate, reproducible, and comparable to international standard,” he added.