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AfIHQSA trains medical laboratory professionals in internal auditing, ISO accreditation standards
Dr B.K. Rana, Founding CEO, Quality & Accreditation Institute
As part of efforts to ensure medical laboratory professionals are equipped with the requisite knowledge and competencies in quality and safe healthcare delivery, a number of practitioners have completed a week’s intensive training in different aspects of medical laboratory practice.
Organised by the Africa Institute of Healthcare Quality, Safety & Accreditation (AfIHQSA) in collaboration with the Quality and Accreditation Institute (QAI) in India, the course among other objectives was to enable participants “understand basic quality management systems” and help them appreciate “their role and ability to advance patient safety through medical diagnostics”.
The virtual training session which started on August 22, to August 28, 2022, brought together medical laboratory scientists interested in quality management systems from eight healthcare facilities in the country.
According to AfIHQSA, the organisers of the training programme, the content of the ‘Accreditation Standard and Internal Auditing’ course (ISO 15189:2012) was “aligned to International Standardisation Organisation (ISO 19011) guidelines for auditing quality management systems and tailored to be relevant to the assessment of medical laboratories.”
Participants were taken through, presentations, discussions and case studies and would subsequently undergo a six-week fieldwork with mentorship to enable them audit any medical laboratory of their choice using the ISO 15189:2012 standards and write a report. Upon successful completion, participants will be certified by AfIHQSA & QAI as Internal Auditors. This is a certificate of competence.
As per accreditation requirements, organisers of the course said it was important for the “Quality Manager of a Medical Laboratory or any Biomedical Scientist who is interested in a career in Healthcare Quality and Safety to get trained in a course which covers Quality Management Systems (QMS) and Internal Auditing.”
The trainees were exposed to the rudiments of performing an internal audit, composing audit findings, preparation of audit report, characteristics of an effective internal auditor, among other subjects.
Certified Quality Management and Safety (QMS) as well as Medical Laboratory Internal Auditors, according to AfIHQSA, would be expected to renew their certification every two years and “there will have to be evidence of practice as part of the renewal process”.
Facilitators included: Dr B.K. Rana, the Founding CEO of Quality & Accreditation Institute; Mrs Comfort Nyameba Opoku, a Senior Clinical Laboratory Quality Manager Health Programmes at US Pharmacopeia (USP), and Dr Elom Otchi, an International Consultant in Organisational Development and Healthcare Quality & Patient Safety; and Technical Director of AfIHQSA.
Ghanaian cinema continues to break boundaries as Vibes The Movie has received an official nomination at the prestigious Toronto International Nollywood Film Festival (TINFF) in Toronto.
This latest international recognition is another proud moment for Ghana and a powerful testament to the creativity, originality, and global appeal of Ghanaian storytelling.
Directed by Big Ghun and starring Jeffrey Nortey, Vibes The Movie evolved from the hugely successful social media series, where the beloved characters Obolo Tui and Lil Pui captured the hearts of millions with their unique blend of rap, comedy, and relatable stories about the everyday struggles and ambitions of Ghanaian youth.
The film has already brought honour to Ghana on the international stage, most recently winning an Outstanding Achievement Award at the American Motion Pictures Festival in the United States.
The Chronicle noted that the film was recognized for its originality, craftsmanship, and storytelling impact among a competitive pool of global entries.
Now, with a nomination at TINFF in Canada, Vibes The Movie continues its remarkable journey from the streets of Accra to some of the world’s most respected film platforms.
The nomination underscores the growing global appreciation for authentic African stories and confirms that Ghanaian filmmakers are making a significant mark in international cinema.
As Vibes The Movie flies the Black Star high in Toronto, Ghana celebrates yet another cultural achievement that showcases the country’s talent, resilience, and storytelling excellence to the world
A prominent member of the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP) has broken silence on the deep-seated internal machinations within the party, warning that the continuous victimization of members could severely jeopardize unity ahead of the general elections.
In a post on the party’s internal democratic processes, the former National Entrpreneurship and Innovation Programme (NEIP) boss, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah revealed how personal ambitions were stifled by party elites in the Asante Akyem Central constituency, despite overwhelming grassroots support.
According to the aggrieved party member, the decision to run for the parliamentary seat was not a self-serving agenda but a direct response to a call to service by the local constituents.
“My Asante Akyem Central people loved my politics and approached me to come and serve them as MP,” he stated.
He added that “But my own party elders blocked me and supported the incumbent MP to cheat through the system as if I was an outsider.”
The unfair playing field he revealed led to a massive financial distress. The stalwart disclosed incurring massive debts across two consecutive primary election cycles, alongside other personal challenges.
Despite the systemic sabotage, Kofi Ofosu Nkansah noted that he remained loyal, continuously defending both the NPP party and the government’s policies at all levels.
“Seeing what’s going on in the current polling station elections in several constituencies, it seems not much has changed,” he warned.
“The victimization of those who want to challenge current or former MPs should stop,” he stated.
With the general elections approaching, he cautioned,”You don’t treat party people anyhow and expect unconditional unity for the general elections.”
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
