When a doctor relies on a laboratory result to diagnose a disease or guide treatment, the accuracy of that result can shape the course of care. Behind every reliable diagnosis is a system built on strong quality standards, skilled personnel, and continuous monitoring. When laboratory quality is strong, patients receive the right care, outbreaks are detected earlier, and health systems can respond more effectively. When it is weak, delays and errors can compromise decisions and put lives at risk.
Across Asia-Pacific, countries are strengthening laboratory quality systems to ensure that diagnostic results are accurate, reliable, and trusted. These efforts are led at the national level, reflecting a strong commitment to improving public health outcomes. At the same time, regional collaboration is playing an increasingly important role. Platforms such as the RPHL Network provide a space for countries to connect, share experiences, and strengthen capacity in laboratory quality management.
National Efforts to Strengthen Quality Systems
Across Cambodia, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Thailand, laboratory leaders are advancing quality by aligning with international accreditation standards such as ISO 15189 for medical laboratories and ISO/IEC 17025 for testing laboratories. These efforts go beyond technical compliance—they represent a broader commitment to strengthening health systems and ensuring that laboratory services consistently support effective diagnosis, treatment, and disease surveillance.
In Cambodia, the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL) demonstrates how national leadership can drive progress. After achieving ISO 15189 Plus accreditation in 2019, it expanded its role by mentoring other laboratories across the country. Through structured assessments, staff training, and ongoing mentorship, additional laboratories—including NCHADS and Siem Reap Provincial Hospital—have successfully achieved accreditation, strengthening quality across the national system.
In Malaysia, laboratory accreditation plays a key role in protecting public health, particularly in food safety. The National Public Health Laboratory has maintained MS ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation since 2004, continuously expanding its testing capacity. Through regular audits, risk assessments, and ongoing staff development, Malaysia has sustained high standards while also sharing its expertise with other laboratories and government agencies.
In Nepal, efforts are focused on building the foundations needed to support accreditation. The establishment of a Quality Supervisor group and plans to expand accreditation to provincial laboratories reflect a long-term commitment to strengthening institutional capacity and ensuring consistent quality across the health system.
In Pakistan, the National Institute of Health (NIH) is strengthening laboratory quality systems while addressing structural challenges such as limited participation in quality assurance programmes and workforce gaps. Through gap analyses, laboratory upgrades, and training initiatives, progress is being made to improve diagnostic capacity. Recognizing the value of shared learning, Pakistan is also engaging with regional platforms such as the RPHL Network to exchange experiences and strengthen its approach to laboratory quality management.
In Thailand, sustained investment over more than two decades has positioned the country as a regional leader in laboratory quality systems. With over 300 laboratories accredited under ISO 15189, Thailand’s success reflects strong policy support, continuous workforce development, and well-established national coordination mechanisms. Ongoing innovation, including digital accreditation systems and expanded training programmes, continues to strengthen its leadership in this field.
Learning and Strengthening Through Regional Collaboration
While these efforts are led by countries themselves, they are strengthened through regional collaboration. The RPHL Network serves as a platform for collaboration—bringing together laboratory professionals, institutions, and expertise across countries. Through peer learning and technical exchange, countries are able to share practical experiences, adapt proven approaches, and accelerate progress toward stronger quality management systems.
This collaborative approach allows countries to build on each other’s experiences, avoid common challenges, and strengthen their systems more efficiently. It also fosters a sense of shared responsibility, where progress in one country contributes to improvements across the region.
Building a Sustainable Workforce for Quality
Sustaining laboratory quality requires not only strong systems, but also skilled people. To support this, the RPHL Network is strengthening workforce capacity by building a growing pool of Quality Management System (QMS) champions across the region. Through Training of Trainers programmes, laboratory professionals are equipped with the skills to lead quality improvement efforts within their own countries.
The upcoming regional training in Jakarta in May 2026 will further expand this network—supporting a sustainable community of experts who can mentor others, strengthen laboratory practices, and drive continuous improvement across the region.
Stronger Systems, Safer Health for the Future
Across these experiences, common lessons emerge. Strong leadership, sustained investment in workforce development, and continuous improvement are essential to maintaining high-quality laboratory systems. Equally important is collaboration—both within countries and across the region.
Together, these efforts demonstrate that strengthening laboratory quality is not only about meeting standards—it is about building systems that people can trust. By combining national leadership with regional collaboration, countries across Asia-Pacific are creating a more connected and resilient laboratory landscape—one that supports better health decisions, protects communities, and strengthens preparedness for future health challenges.