The Quali-Med Laboratories received its accreditation certification from the Southern African Development Community Accreditation Services (SADCAS) at Tlotlo Hotel and Conference Centre in Gaborone on Saturday.
This makes Quali-Med Lab the fourth private laboratory among the 14 in Botswana of which the majority are government-ran laboratories.
According to SADCAS CEO Eve Gadzikwa, Quali-Med Laboratories was accredited to international standards for three scopes namely laboratory clinical chemistry, haematology, and serology. It has also been granted the unique accreditation number MED 135 indicating that Quali-Med Laboratories is now an internationally recognised medical testing lab.
She explained that the Quali-Med Laboratories accreditation certificate was issued on April 24. However, she noted that the validity of the Quali-Med certificate was less than five years due to quality and competence in medical lab environment standards that had been revised and given a three-year transition of up to December 5, 2025.
“Medical laboratory service plays a pivotal role in ensuring that patients receive the most appropriate treatment and care. It is imperative that medical laboratories effectively meet the needs of all patients, clinical personnel responsible for patient care, and any other interested parties. The laboratory aims to not only provide accurate results but to do so for the right patient within a meaningful timeframe about clinical management, using appropriate laboratory procedures, and with respect for ethics, confidentiality, and the safety of the patient,” she explained.
Furthermore, she pointed out that over the years and with challenges such as HIV/AIDS, TB, malaria, cholera, typhoid, Ebola, antimicrobial resistance and especially over the past two years with the COVID-19 epidemic, there had been rapid growth globally in various disciplines of health care services to improve patient outcomes. She added that medical laboratories played a critical role in the healthcare delivery system by providing pertinent information for patient management, public health, disease control, and surveillance.
For her part, the guest speaker from the Ministry of Health, Kelebeletse Mokobela congratulated Quali-Med Laboratories for attaining international recognition in the provision of quality laboratory results as per the requirements of the International Standard for Medical Laboratories. She said Medical Laboratories in Botswana came a long way, having started in the 1960s at Princess Marina Hospital as a one-room laboratory offering basic haematology, chemistry, and microbiology tests performed by one qualified technician from Britain. “Medical Laboratory Services has grown substantially in the past years with the private sector gaining momentum and owning a substantial share of the market. This development gives the clientele a wide range of choices and a certain level of choice in the provision of healthcare. Quali-Med Laboratories, founded in 2012 by Irene Patsika and her husband, employed about 50 people.”
“As a responsible member of the community the laboratory is involved in several corporate social responsibility activities, including paying fees for the less privileged, sourcing accommodation for the less privileged, affiliating with soccer teams to help develop the youth, giving food and clothing to the less privileged,” she said.
Moreover, the lab manager, Patsika explained that Quali-Med Lab was after quitting the job that she loved. With no loan and funding from institutions but her salary and implementing the experience she had, she conquered all tribulations to get the laboratory where it is today. She said they started applying for accreditation last year but had a few stumbling blocks they had to attend to with good teamwork and hardworking days. She was overjoyed when finally their accreditation succeeded this year.
