Continuing medical laboratory education is very important in updating the current knowledge in the field. Unless technicians attend training programmes like this, they will not be able to catch up with the recent trends in laboratory science, latest technology, automation and quality control methods.

The Refresher Training course had a syllabus covering all sections of laboratory.  The theoretical training included sessions in Hematology, Clinical Pathology, Biochemistry and Microbiology for 120 hours. The classes were conducted on 24 Sundays for six months.

Evaluation of the candidates was carried out on a daily basis and finally the examination in all the 4 subjects was conducted on 30th of January 2011. Grades were allotted based on the percentage of total marks.

The Annual Conference of the Medical Laboratory Owners Association was conducted on 13 February 2011.Former Vice Chairman of Central Administrative Tribunal, Justice M Ramachandran inaugurated the convension. Certificates were presented by Dr. Thuppil Venketesh, Principal Advisor, Quality Council of India & Professor Emeritus St. Johns Academy of Medical Sciences, Banglore.

After going through the syllabus of the course, Dr.Venketesh commended that this course will be very good and must be conducted all over India. He suggested that there is a possibility that Quality Council of India may take this as a model for National Professional Registration for Technicians.

QCI Awareness Program for Essential Standards for Medical Laboratories conducted at Cochin, was inagurated by Worshipful Mayor of Kochi Sri.Tony Chammani. Dr.K V Beena, District Program Manager, NRHM presided, Dr.Sachidananda Kammath, IMA President, Dr.Junaid Rahman, Superintendent General Hospital Ernakulam, Dr.T A Varkey, President, Medical Laboratory Owners Association and Dr.Elizabeth spoke on the occasion.

Sri. Chammani Stressed the need for ensuring the quality and credibility of the medical laboratories. He also said the doctors depend on the laboratory results for establishing diagnosis. There fore the credibility of the lab results are very crucial. He congratulated the organizers for starting such a noble venture in creating awareness of Quality Standards and Accreditation of Laboratories.

85 Participants from different parts of the country attended the program. All the participants were given certificates.

QCI Essential Standards certification for Medical Laboratories is the first step towards attaining Accreditation of Laboratories.