The Ifakara Health Institute is proud to announce that its Bagamoyo Laboratory has been awarded Good Clinical Laboratory Practice (GCLP) full accreditation by Pharmalys, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to quality and excellence in clinical research. This achievement builds on the laboratory’s previous ISO 15189 accreditation, further strengthening its quality assurance standards.

The GCLP accreditation was first awarded in 2024 and successfully retained in July 2026 following a successful assessment by the GCLP Accreditation Scheme, operated by Pharmalys Ltd.  

The GCLP accreditation covers all sections of the Bagamoyo Laboratory: haematology, clinical biochemistry, immunology, molecular biology, microbiology, tuberculosis (TB), and parasitology. This broad scope reflects the laboratory’s capacity to support research across multiple scientific disciplines while maintaining established quality standards throughout its operations.

Strengthening the reliability of clinical research

The accreditation has particular significance for clinical trials and regulatory submissions, where the accuracy and credibility of laboratory data are essential to the interpretation of research findings. By strengthening confidence in the results generated by its laboratory, IHI is better positioned to support researchers in producing robust scientific evidence and contributing to clinical research initiatives.

Bagamoyo Lab Manager, Sarah Mswata commended that the accreditation reinforces the Institute’s capacity to participate in collaborative research projects, where dependable laboratory results are fundamental to generating evidence that informs scientific understanding and public health decision-making.

Acting Director of Science, said "This is an important milestone for Ifakara Health Institute, reflecting our continued commitment to scientific excellence and quality research. Building on the laboratory’s ISO 15189 accreditation, this achievement strengthens confidence in the quality, reliability and integrity of data generated to support clinical trials and other research activities. I congratulate the entire Bagamoyo laboratory team and everyone who contributed to this success.”

The in-coming Director of Science, Dr. Emmanuel Kaindoa, who set to take charge on November 1, 2026, said. "The renewal of our GCLP accreditation marks a significant step forward in strengthening our research capabilities and positioning Ifakara for greater participation in high-quality clinical trials and international research collaborations. With this accreditation, we have an even stronger foundation for generating credible evidence that informs health interventions and policy. As we look ahead, sustaining these standards and building on this achievement will be essential to advancing our scientific impact."

Sustaining a culture of excellence

This achievement reflects the dedication and collective efforts of the team and everyone who contributed to the accreditation process. Their commitment to maintaining high standards has been central to reaching this milestone.

As Ifakara continues to advance its research mission, the laboratory remains committed to sustaining the standards required by its accreditation and providing quality laboratory support for clinical research.