Dr Barnett concern over top athletes
Published:Wednesday | January 28, 2009 | 5:18 PM
Executive Director of the government’s Scientific Research Council Dr Audia Barnett said the reputation of Jamaica’s top athletes might be at risk if the issue of unaccredited labs that provides drug testing is not addressed.
Dr Barnett said only one testing lab in the island has international accreditation.
There are 80 laboratories currently operating in Jamaica of which 65 are medical labs.
Dr Barnett said in order to be accredited; a laboratory must satisfy the accreditation body that it is technically competent and that it meets all the requirements of the international standard.
She said the lack of accredited labs led to some embarrassment for Jamaica, in the much publicized Bob Woolmer’s inquest when toxicology tests carried out by local labs on the late Pakistan coach’s body were treated with much skepticism by international experts.
Dr Barnett was addressing the opening day of a five-day training course for assessors of laboratories now taking place at the Terra Nova Hotel in Kingston.