By Shadrack Nyakoe
The Kenya Accreditation Service (KENAS) has launched a historic two-day training program on biobank accreditation to ISO 20387:2018, marking a significant milestone for the organization and the African continent.
This initiative aims to elevate biobanks in Africa to globally recognized standards of quality, accountability, and transparency.
Biobanks play a crucial role in medical and scientific research by preserving biological samples used in genomics, drug development, cancer treatment, and public health studies.
Proper accreditation ensures these samples are managed ethically and with scientific integrity, leading to more reliable research outcomes.
The training focuses on ISO 20387:2018, a global standard that provides a structured framework for biobank operations, covering sample handling, storage, and data management.
By aligning with these international standards, African biobanks will enhance their credibility and foster stronger collaborations with global research institutions.
KENAS has made history as the first accreditation body in Africa to offer formal biobank accreditation under ISO 20387:2018.
This step positions African research institutions as competitive players in international scientific collaborations, creating opportunities for increased funding and groundbreaking medical advancements.
Speaking at the opening of the training, KENAS officials emphasized that accreditation is not merely about compliance but about empowering African researchers to lead in biotechnology and medical innovation.
Accredited biobanks will enable local scientists to participate in high-quality clinical trials and contribute to global medical breakthroughs.
The training has received generous support from the British Standards Institute (BSI), whose collaboration has been instrumental in advancing biobank accreditation in Africa. KENAS expressed gratitude for BSI’s role in facilitating knowledge transfer and capacity building in this critical sector.
As the training concludes, participants are encouraged to embrace this transformational journey and champion excellence in biobanking.
The initiative is expected to strengthen Africa’s research and healthcare ecosystem, ensuring local biobanks meet international standards and contribute significantly to global scientific discoveries.