The finalisation of the National Guide to Laboratory Accreditation marks a new stage in efforts to improve the reliability of laboratory results. Reviewed in Ebolowa from October 21 to 23, 2026, the document establishes a framework for accreditation across human, animal and environmental health sectors.
Reliable laboratory results are essential to accurate diagnoses, appropriate treatment decisions and effective disease surveillance. To strengthen quality assurance in this area, the National Guide to Laboratory Accreditation was finalised during a strategic workshop held in Ebolowa from October 21 to 23, 2026.
Initiated by the Department of Pharmacy, Medicines and Laboratories (DPML), in partnership with STRIDES, the workshop brought together representatives of the Ministry of Public Health, the Ministry of Livestock, Fisheries and Animal Industries, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and other stakeholders.
Divided into three working groups, the participants reviewed the document chapter by chapter, revising paragraphs, reorganising sections and correcting inconsistencies to ensure alignment with international standards and national strategic documents. The exercise aimed to establish a national reference framework clearly defining the requirements and procedures laboratories must follow to obtain accreditation.
Harmonising quality requirements
The guide outlines laboratory eligibility criteria, preparation procedures, the different stages of accreditation and the support mechanisms available to participating facilities. It also clarifies the roles and responsibilities of stakeholders and addresses the legal and institutional framework governing the process.
Its technical requirements draw on internationally recognised standards, particularly ISO 15189, which addresses the quality and competence of medical laboratories, and ISO/IEC 17025, which specifies requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories.
These standards provide a framework for assessing laboratory operations, technical competence and quality management. To obtain accreditation, laboratories must demonstrate compliance with the applicable requirements and their ability to produce valid and reliable results.
For healthcare facilities, the quality of laboratory analyses is particularly important because diagnostic and treatment decisions often depend on test findings. Strengthening laboratory procedures and quality management can therefore contribute to more reliable clinical decision-making.
Thirty laboratories engaged in the process
Thirty laboratories are currently enrolled in the national accreditation process, including 12 medical laboratories already accredited to ISO 15189, according to figures provided following the Ebolowa workshop.
The guide is expected to offer a clearer pathway for facilities seeking accreditation by specifying the requirements to be met and the stages to be completed. It also identifies support mechanisms, including mentoring, to help participating laboratories strengthen their capacities.
Accreditation, however, involves more than preparing documents or acquiring equipment. Laboratories must demonstrate that they meet the applicable technical and management requirements. Maintaining quality also requires continuous monitoring and consistent adherence to established procedures.
By clarifying the process and the responsibilities of the different stakeholders, the national framework is intended to provide laboratories with a common reference for improving their practices and working towards accreditation.
A One Health approach to laboratory quality
The guide extends beyond medical laboratories to cover activities relating to human, animal and environmental health, in line with the One Health approach. This approach recognises the interconnections between these three areas and the importance of coordinated action to protect public health.
Establishing a common framework for laboratory accreditation is intended to strengthen quality assurance across these interconnected sectors while taking into account the specific requirements applicable to different types of laboratories.
The finalisation of the guide represents a step towards a more structured accreditation process. Its practical impact will depend on its implementation, the support available to laboratories and their ability to meet the relevant requirements. The ultimate objective is to strengthen confidence in laboratory results and improve the quality of information used to guide health-related decisions.
