Over 120 Participants Benefit as QIIN and Partners Deliver Successful ISO 15189 Training in Port Harcourt

A shared vision

What began as a shared vision to make quality management education more accessible to young medical laboratory scientists has become a remarkable success story.

The Quality Improvement Institute of Nigeria (QIIN), in collaboration with the Young Medical Laboratory Scientists Forum (YMLSF), Rivers State Branch, the Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists of Nigeria (AMLSN), Rivers State University Teaching Hospital Chapter, and Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH), successfully delivered a two-day Quality Management System (QMS) Workshop and ISO Certification Programme on 22–23 October 2026 in Port Harcourt.

Held at the Pathology Building of RSUTH under the theme “Build Quality. Earn Certification. Drive Excellence,” the programme attracted over 120 registered participants (both physical and online), reflecting the growing interest among young medical laboratory professionals in quality management and international standards.

From Collaboration to Capacity Building

The initiative followed months of planning and engagement among the collaborating organisations, including the September 2026 visit of YMLSF Rivers State leaders to QIIN in Abuja.

With a significantly subsidised participation fee of ₦30,000, the organizers sought to remove financial barriers to professional development while maintaining the quality of training and learning resources.

The programme focused on ISO 15189:2022 – Medical Laboratories: Requirements for Quality and Competence, equipping participants with practical knowledge of laboratory quality management, competence requirements, process improvement and implementation.

A particularly welcome development was the approval of three Continuing Professional Development (CPD) credit points by the Medical Laboratory Science Council of Nigeria (MLSCN), further strengthening the programme’s professional value.

Two Days of Practical Learning and Engagement

The workshop featured intensive teaching sessions, interactive discussions, quizzes and assessments covering the key requirements of ISO 15189:2022.

QIIN President/CEO, Dr. Stephen S. Hati, led sessions on the foundations of the standard, management system requirements and implementation, alongside experienced faculty members MLS Okorite Livingstone Horsfall and MLS Stanley Ogbonna.

The programme also benefited from the academic expertise of Dr. Easter G. Nwokah, Associate Professor of Medical/Public Health Microbiology, who contributed to the technical sessions.

Beyond classroom learning, participants received practical guidance and supporting resources to facilitate the application of quality management principles within their laboratories.

The sessions provided valuable opportunities for professional networking, group interactions and informal exchanges during tea and lunch breaks, contributing to an engaging learning environment.

Celebrating Quality Champions

One memorable highlight was the presentation of Quality Champion Awards by Dr. Stephen Hati in appreciation of individuals whose leadership and contributions helped advance the programme and the broader cause of quality improvement.

The recognition reflected QIIN’s belief that building a culture of quality requires not only technical competence but also committed individuals willing to champion improvement within their professional communities.

The workshop also provided an opportunity to welcome participants into the QIIN membership community, encouraging continued professional engagement and a shared commitment to quality.

The Learning Continues

Although the Port Harcourt workshop has concluded, the learning journey continues.

As part of the programme’s added benefits, participants will have access to a bonus ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System Foundations Certification Course, providing a broader understanding of management system principles applicable across healthcare and other sectors.

QIIN has also received encouraging feedback and expressions of appreciation from participants, reinforcing the importance of accessible, practical and professionally relevant ISO education.

Appreciation and Looking Ahead

QIIN sincerely appreciates the leadership of MLS Precious Nwogu, Chairman of YMLSF Rivers State Branch; MLS Nicole Ogbak, Chairman of the Local Organising Committee; and MLS Nicholas Dummene, Chairman of AMLSN RSUTH Chapter, for their commitment to making the programme possible.

We equally acknowledge RSUTH, the participating faculty, volunteers and everyone whose contributions supported the successful delivery of the workshop.

For QIIN, the outcome goes beyond the impressive participation numbers. It represents another important step towards developing a generation of medical laboratory professionals who understand that quality is not merely a certification requirement, but a culture to be practised every day.