18 Jun 2023

Botswana has, through accreditation of the National Dosimetry Laboratory, illustrated its commitment to conforming to international standards and obligations of ensuring safe use of nuclear technology.

Speaking at the handing over of an accreditation certificate to National Dosimetry lab in Gaborone on Thursday, the Minister of Communications, Knowledge and Technology, Mr Thulagano Segokgo, said Botswana’s competence in the area of atomic energy has not gone unnoticed as other laboratories in the region were requesting for benchmarking visits.

“We would therefore want to further grow in this area and be recognised internationally to support our aspiration of a knowledge-based economy,” he said. Mr Segokgo said the laboratory provided service to 198 institutions, both private and public, with 1 505 workers being monitored by offering analysis and maintenance of their records for a required period.

Mr Segokgo also hailed the Radiation Protection Board and Radiation Protection Inspectorate (RPI) staff for rising to the occasion in their desire for quality. 

He also advised that the ultimate goal of implementing a quality system should not be to meet accreditation requirements, but to produce accurate and reliable results and to positively impact lives.

For her part, SADC Accreditation Services (SADCAS) chief executive officer, Ms Eve Gadzikwa, said the certificate was granted on March 21 this year after an extensive re-assessment that was conducted in November 2022.

“The facility is accredited in accordance with the recognised international Standard ISO 17025:2017 and demonstrated technical competence for radiation dosimetry testing and the operation of a Laboratory Management System,” she said.

She said the lab was first accredited in January 2013, adding the organisation did accreditation needs of a total of 14 countries. 

“This is vital towards the achievement of SADC goals in industrial development, infrastructural development, trade facilitation and the protection of health, safety and the environment,” she said.

In his welcome remarks, Radiation Protection Board chairperson, Mr Molosiwa Selepeng said since its establishment in 2008, the RPI had been steadfast in its resolve and focus to adopt quality standards for its operations.

He said in that regard, a quality policy was adopted with the intent to align laboratory practices and other technical operations towards a systematic and programmed standards led approach. “Significant investment was made and five years down the line, an award of accreditation to ISO/IEC 17025:2005 testing laboratory standard to National Dosimetry Laboratory by SADCAS followed,” he said.

He said another accreditation followed in 2018 and then this year, with positive results noted with each assessment.

Mr Selepeng said the award was rightly earned following extensive and stressful assessment for re-accreditation, and pledged the board’s continued support to the ministry and RPI management for the future.  ends