Indian Medical Labs Conclave held at KIMS Hospitals

Hyderabad, January 31, 2023: Foundation for Quality (India), a globally recognised medical laboratory training organisation in association with the US based Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI), has organised the first Indian Medical Laboratory Directors Conclave in Hyderabad at KIMS during January 30-31, 2022. Nearly 200 delegates from different parts of the country and abroad have attended this conclave. The star-rating programme for Indian Medical Laboratories was launched during the conclave. The delegation was explained in detail about the procedure for getting a star rating, the international standards that have to be met, and how patients will benefit from these. So far, the ISO 15189-2012 guidelines are available in India. But now, the ISO 15189-2022 guidelines have come into force. The conclave was intended to raise awareness about these guidelines and membership of Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI) of the USA.

The main objectives of the conclave were to

• To make CLSI standards and membership available at an affordable cost.
• To ensure the quality of diagnostic services beyond currently existing accreditation standards
• To help the general public and consumers identify reliable diagnostic services at an affordable cost and
• Star grading of diagnostic services

CEOs of several accreditation bodies have actively participated in this event scheduled and hosted by the Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences. Dr. Patric Mateta from CLSI-USA, Dr. Girdhar J. Gyani, DG of AHPI, Dr. Bhaskar Rao from KIMS, the Lead man for India and the CEO of FQI Dr. Thuppil Venkatesh, Academic Director of FQI Dr. Anand Vasudeva Rao, Dr. Antony from the UAE, Dr. Sitaram Joshi from Nepal, Dr. B.K. Rana from QAI, Dr. Anil Relia former CEO and Director of NABL, Dr. Sambit Sahu, Medical Director of KIMS, and Radhika Chowdary, Chief of Labs, are a few to name were among the distinguished personality who attended the conclave.

The CLSI guidelines, which are in the US, are going to be introduced in India.Some of them include improving lab services, increasing the availability of lab tests at affordable prices, and increasing the safety of patients. The conference was jointly organised by FQI, CLSI, and KIMS. All labs in the country will be rated according to NABL, ISO 15189-2022, CLSI guidelines. These ratings system will be initiated by FQI. Dr Mohammed Moinuddin, consultant biochemist, KIMS Hospital, was the organising secretary for the event.