CABINET APPROVES THE APPOINTMENT OF THE MEDICAL LABORATORIES' COUNCIL

Cabinet, at its meeting on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, approved the appointment of the Medical Laboratories Council in accordance with the provisions of the recently enacted Medical Laboratories Act 2024. The council aims to strengthen the regulatory framework for medical laboratory services in Dominica and ensure the highest standards of quality, safety and professionalism in the sector.

The Medical Laboratories Council comprises representatives from key stakeholder

institutions, including the Medical Board, the Ministry of Health, the Dominica Bar

Association, the Dominica Bureau of Standards, the Dominica Chamber of Commerce

and experienced and qualified laboratory technologists. This multi-sectoral composition

ensures a balanced, transparent and technically sound approach to the governance and

oversight of medical laboratory services in Dominica.

The establishment of the Council is central to the effective implementation of the

Medical Laboratories Act and will serve to enhance public confidence in laboratory

testing and diagnostic services across the country.

The functions of the Medical Laboratories Council include:

 Regulating and overseeing the practice of medical laboratory services in

Dominica;

 Establishing and enforcing standards for the operation, licensing and

accreditation of medical laboratories;

 Registering, licensing and maintaining a register of qualified laboratory

professionals; Promoting and ensuring adherence to quality assurance and quality control systems in all medical laboratories;

 Investigating complaints and taking appropriate disciplinary action in cases of

professional misconduct or breaches of established standards;

 Advising the Minister for Health on matters relating to medical laboratory services

and policy development;

 Facilitating continuing education, training and professional development for

laboratory personnel; and

 Collaborating with relevant local, regional and international bodies to ensure

compliance with best practices and emerging standards in laboratory medicine.

The Government reaffirms its commitment to strengthening the health sector through

robust regulatory systems and institutional capacity building. The appointment of the

Medical Laboratories Council underscores this commitment and represents a proactive

approach to safeguarding public health and improving healthcare delivery in Dominica.