From 11–15 August 2025, the Royal Centre for Disease Control (RCDC) hosted a week-long review and training on its Laboratory Quality Management System, with technical assistance from WHO and the National Institute of Health (NIH) Thailand.
The initiative supports RCDC’s application for ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, an international benchmark for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories. Once accredited, RCDC’s laboratory results, including those from its National Drug Testing Laboratory and Food and Nutrition
Laboratory will carry increased credibility and be recognized globally.
The five-day programme included:
- A detailed gap analysis of existing systems and processes
- Revision of quality documentation, procedures, and control measures
- Training on measurement uncertainty, calibration, internal audits, and quality control
- Development of implementation and monitoring frameworks
- Stakeholder dialogues on sustainability and long-term collaboration
This accreditation process will strengthen RCDC’s capacity to deliver reliable laboratory services for disease surveillance, outbreak confirmation, and regulatory decision-making, helping safeguard public health in Bhutan and the wider region.
WHO Bhutan remains committed to supporting the Ministry of Health in achieving high-quality, sustainable health systems that meet global standards.