The Philippine Accreditation Bureau (PAB) has stepped up efforts to strengthen the country’s medical laboratory system, convening accredited laboratories for a capacity-building orientation on international standards aimed at improving the reliability of diagnostic services.
Held virtually on March 5 to 6, the two half-day sessions focused on ISO 15189:2022, a globally recognized benchmark for quality and competence in medical laboratories. The activity gathered representatives from PAB-accredited Conformity Assessment Bodies (CABs) across the Philippines.
The orientation sought to deepen laboratories’ understanding of accreditation requirements and help align their operations with updated international standards — seen as critical to ensuring accurate test results, effective treatment, and stronger public health protection.
At the opening of the program, Jenebert P. Opinion of PAB outlined the bureau’s mandate and services, emphasizing the role of accreditation in ensuring laboratory reliability, safeguarding patient safety, and maintaining confidence in healthcare systems.
Serving as resource speaker, Marienella P. Galit of the Research Institute for Tropical Medicine shared technical guidance on the structure and implementation of ISO 15189, drawing from her experience in laboratory quality management and assessments.
Participants engaged in discussions on practical laboratory applications, as well as the challenges and opportunities in complying with evolving global requirements.
PAB said the initiative forms part of its broader push to enhance the competence of laboratories and reinforce accreditation as a cornerstone of quality assurance in the country’s healthcare system.
As the Philippines’ national accreditation body under the Department of Trade and Industry, PAB evaluates and accredits organizations that test, inspect, and certify products and services. Its work ensures that laboratory results and certifications are technically sound, impartial, and widely accepted both locally and abroad.
By aligning with international frameworks such as ISO/IEC 17011, PAB helps boost trust in Philippine-issued test results — an advantage for both public health and export competitiveness.
Officials noted that strengthening laboratory standards has real-world impact, from more reliable medical diagnoses to increased global acceptance of Philippine products, reducing the need for duplicate testing.
The orientation also served as a platform to strengthen collaboration among accredited institutions, with PAB reaffirming its commitment to continuous learning, knowledge exchange, and improving the country’s quality infrastructure.
Through sustained training and engagement, the bureau aims to help laboratories achieve operational excellence and deliver safer, more dependable services to the public.