The Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL) in Lagos, Nigeria has achieved full laboratory accreditation status from the World Health Organization (WHO) for its contribution to the fight against measles and rubella in the country. The CPHL is one of the laboratories under the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) Measles and Rubella laboratory network.
“WHO full accreditation status attained by the laboratory is a great achievement for Nigeria as quality laboratory is critical to understanding the impact of a country’s vaccination program on the prevalence and spread of disease,” said WHO’s Country Representative, Dr. Walter Kazadi Mulombo.
The accreditation was awarded for serology testing for measles and rubella after an on-site assessment of the facility by WHO. This is the highest level of accreditation that can be achieved by a laboratory.
“I am especially proud and celebrate CPHL accreditation for measles and rubella testing in Nigeria by WHO,” said the Director General of NCDC, Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa. “As one of Nigeria’s oldest public health facilities, this laboratory has transformed into one capable of contributing to the fulfilment of our mandate to protect the health of Nigerians.”
WHO conducts annual accreditation reviews of measles and rubella laboratories based on their performance during the previous 12 months. Once a laboratory is accredited, WHO provides technical support and conducts regular evaluations and reassessments to focus on continuous quality improvement.
