SRINAGAR: A five-day NABL Assessor Training Programme on ISO 15189:2022 commenced in Srinagar on Tuesday with the objective of strengthening medical laboratory quality assurance and accreditation systems in Jammu and Kashmir.
The programme is being organised jointly by the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, the State Allied and Healthcare Council, J&K (SAHC-JK), and the National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL), a constituent board of the Quality Council of India (QCI).
The training forms part of quality and capacity-building initiatives being implemented under QCI’s “Gunvatta Chakra” framework in Jammu and Kashmir. Officials said the programme follows earlier initiatives such as “Gunvatta Yatra” and “Gunvatta Pathshala” and is aimed at developing a pool of trained assessors for medical laboratories.
The programme was inaugurated by Chairperson, State Allied and Healthcare Council, J&K, Prof. (Dr.) Sabhiya Majid, and Head of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry, University of Kashmir, Prof. (Dr.) Tanveer Ali Dar. Prof. (Dr.) Fouzia Rashid of the Department of Clinical Biochemistry is the organising secretary.
Senior medical faculty members and healthcare professionals from Jammu and Kashmir and other parts of the country are participating in the training. Participants include doctors and professionals from institutions such as AIIMS, Government Medical Colleges and various state government healthcare organisations.
According to organisers, the training is designed to develop assessors and resource persons capable of evaluating government and private medical laboratories in accordance with NABL standards and the requirements of ISO 15189:2022.
The programme is expected to enhance local assessment capabilities, improve laboratory quality systems, support accreditation preparedness and promote greater standardisation in diagnostic services across the Union Territory. Officials said it would also contribute to strengthening the national pool of trained NABL assessors and resource personnel.
The training will continue over the next five days with technical sessions focused on quality management systems, laboratory competence and accreditation requirements under ISO 15189:2022.
