GPHC Pathology Laboratory Achieves ISO 15189 Plus Accreditation
A Milestone in Guyana's Healthcare Excellence
On December 17, 2025, the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) celebrated a transformative achievement: the official awarding of ISO 15189 Plus accreditation to its Pathology Laboratory. This international recognition, presented by Accreditation Canada Diagnostics, validates nearly two years of rigorous progress since the lab’s commissioning in February 2024. It crowns a series of accomplishments, including local GYS 170:2021 certification and the Guyana National Bureau of Standards’ National Quality Award.
The ceremony radiated pride and reflection, underscoring that true excellence stems from perseverance. Ms. Marisa Camacho, Pathology Laboratory Manager, opened with a poignant reminder: “Success is not final, failure is not fatal.” She shared the unseen struggles of late nights troubleshooting, moments of doubt, and the quiet resolve fueled by purpose and faith. Her words humanized the milestone, highlighting how the lab evolved from a facility plagued by space constraints and outdated infrastructure into a beacon of diagnostic precision.
Pathology Lab: Essential Role in Diagnostics
A pathology laboratory is where medical technologists, histotechnologists, and pathologists analyse tissues, blood, and other body fluids to diagnose diseases and conditions. This plays a crucial role in identifying the nature and extent of illnesses, aiding proper medical treatment and management, from cancer detection to infection control.
Once stagnant and deteriorated, the lab saw turnaround times slashed from 35 days to 7 days pre-upgrade. The new facility now targets 48 hours for routine tests and 24 hours for urgent ones, as “a delay in diagnosis is a delay in treatment.”
From Renewal to Global Standards
GPHC CEO Mr. Robbie Rambarran traced the lab’s evolution from a dilapidated space to a state-of-the-art hub, funded by a GYD 474.7 million partnership: GYD 54.2 million from the Government of Guyana (civil works and IT) and GYD 420.4 million from the World Bank (equipment and consumables), with Mount Sinai Health System expertise.
Key innovations include:
- Telepathology: Digital scanners transmit tissue slides for remote expert review, boosting collaboration.
- Frozen Sections (Cryosections): Guyana’s first rapid intraoperative diagnostics (45 minutes or less) for real-time surgical guidance.
- Advanced equipment like automatic tissue processors, microtomes, and a chemical recycler (cutting chemical use by 50% for environmental and cost savings).
- Training for local staff at Mount Sinai, with more to follow.
This aligns with Guyana’s healthcare investments, including over GYD 1 billion in GPHC renovations since 2020.
ISO 15189 Plus Accreditation, an advanced tier of the ISO 15189:2022 standard, ensures technical competence, quality management, and continuous improvement.
This is not just a certificate, it’s a testament to your commitment to quality, competence, and patient safety.
Few Caribbean labs match this, positioning GPHC as a regional leader.
Key Achievements
National Impact and Leadership Praise
Hon. Dr. Frank Anthony, Minister of Health, hailed the milestone as proof of Guyana’s world-class healthcare vision under President Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. “This demonstrates what happens when standards are raised and sustained,” he stated, reducing diagnostic errors (up to 30% per global studies) and advancing universal health coverage.
The unveiling of the accreditation certificate marked the ceremony’s climax, symbolizing teamwork across GPHC staff, technicians, and partners. Yet, as speakers agreed, this is no finish line—ISO standards require ongoing audits and enhancements.
GPHC’s Pathology Lab now serves thousands with reliable results, inspiring national facilities.
