Srinagar, Sep 11: A five-day NABL Assessor Training Programme (ISO 15189:2022) on “Strengthening Medical Laboratory Quality Assurance in J&K” concluded at University of Kashmir (KU) on Friday, highlighting the need for quality assurance, standardisation and professional competence in medical laboratories.
The programme was organised by the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, KU, in collaboration with the State Allied and Healthcare Council, J&K, and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), Quality Council of India (QCI). It aimed to strengthen professional understanding of ISO 15189:2022 and laboratory assessment and accreditation processes.
While presiding over the valedictory-cum-ceremonial session, Vice-Chancellor KU, Prof Nilofer Khan, said quality laboratory systems are critical to accurate clinical diagnosis and effective patient care. She said such specialised training programmes help build professional competence and promote a culture of quality in healthcare.
“Consistency, quality and adherence to recognised standards are crucial to reliable laboratory practices,” Prof Khan said, adding that the University would continue to promote collaborations and capacity-building initiatives with wider societal relevance.
Director SKIMS, Prof. Mohd Ashraf Ganie in his remarks stressed the importance of institutional collaboration in strengthening clinical and paramedical care. He called for well-equipped laboratories, skilled human resources and stringent protocols, while underlining the importance of human judgement alongside technological interventions.
Speaking on the occasion Dean Academic Affairs, KU, Prof Sharieffuddin Pirzada, and Dean Research, KU, Prof. Bashir A. Ganaie, emphasised quality-driven training and stronger linkages among universities, healthcare institutions and research organisations.
They underlined the need to translate institutional collaborations into better professional practices and move from compliance towards sustained commitment to quality.
In their remarks Principal, GMC Srinagar and Dean, School of Medicine and School of Allied Sciences, University of Kashmir, Prof. (Dr) Iffat Hassan Shah, and Dean, School of Biological Sciences, KU, Prof. Fayaz Ahmad, highlighted the importance of accurate clinical findings in diagnosis and patient care. They said specialised academic and training initiatives can strengthen professional capacities and contribute to better healthcare outcomes.
Chairperson, State Allied and Healthcare Council, J&K, Dr Sabhiya Majid, highlighted the Council’s role in capacity-building of allied healthcare institutions, while Dr Ritu Kulshrestha, Joint Director, NABL-QCI, presented a brief report of the five-day programme and outlined its major components and outcomes.
Earlier, Head, Department of Clinical Biochemistry, KU, Dr Tanveer Ali Dar, welcomed the dignitaries and participants and highlighted the significance of the initiative. Prof. Fouzia Rashid, Organising Secretary, delivered the vote of thanks, while Beenish Shakeel conducted the proceedings of the valedictory session.
Medical laboratory faculty, laboratory professionals and technologists participated in the programme, which covered ISO 15189 requirements, assessment techniques, documentation, on-site assessment, evaluation of technical competence and reporting of non-conformities.
