IFCC eNews: July-August 2026

• How long have you been associated with IFCC?
  I first became involved with the IFCC in 2021 as the interim secretary for the Task Force of Corporate Members (TF-CM). Shortly thereafter, I joined the Task Force on Outcome Studies in Laboratory Medicine (TF-OSLM). This newly established task force was created to serve as a dedicated resource for highlighting the critical role of laboratory medicine in healthcare—an area that strongly aligns with both my professional focus and personal passion within the field.
• What inspires you to get more involved?
  One of the most compelling aspects of the IFCC is its truly global reach. The breadth and depth of expertise and the passion demonstrated by its members are both impressive and inspiring. I see colleagues, both within Abbott and across the broader IFCC community, generously volunteering their time to champion important initiatives that advance laboratory medicine and ultimately improve patient care. When the opportunity to apply for the role as the Corporate Representative for the Communications and Publications Division (CPD), I was eager to become more involved. The CPD’s mission to elevate the visibility and impact of laboratory medicine through platforms such as IFCC eNews, social media, and the eJIFCC strongly resonated with my own focus on communicating the value of laboratory medicine. It felt like a natural progression of my work and a meaningful extension of my contributions through TF-OSLM.
• What do you like most about your involvement with IFCC?
  Without question, one of the most rewarding aspects of being involved in the IFCC is the people. Across every role I have held, a consistent theme has been the passion, collaboration, and camaraderie shared among members who are united by a common purpose. My involvement with the TF Corporate Members (TF-CM), particularly in my role as CPD representative, exemplifies this well. While members represent different, and often competing organizations, we share many common goals, regulatory challenges, and priorities. This creates a unique environment of collaboration, where we work collectively to advance the mission of the IFCC and drive meaningful improvements in patient care.
• What advice do you have for other Corporate Members?
  Getting involved with the IFCC can be an incredibly rewarding experience. As a large and dynamic organization, IFCC offers a wide range of opportunities for corporate members and corporate representatives to contribute in meaningful ways. I encourage those who are interested to stay engaged with calls for nominations and to actively explore working groups, committees, task forces, and divisions that align with their interests and expertise. The corporate member voice is both unique and valuable, by increasing our engagement, we can further strengthen our collective impact and contribution to the field.
• Is there anything else you would like to add before we close this interview?
  I would like to close with a sincere thank you to all corporate representatives and volunteers within the IFCC. Many contribute their time and expertise on a volunteer basis, driven by a shared commitment to advancing laboratory medicine. Your dedication and passion are truly inspiring and are instrumental in driving progress across the IFCC, the laboratory community, and ultimately in improving patient outcomes worldwide.

Corporate Members have long recognized the diverse benefits of conference sponsorship and valued attendance at events led by the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine (IFCC).  This includes brilliant and emerging opportunities this October at IFCC WorldLab New Delhi 2026.

Organized by the IFCC and in partnership with the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India (ACBI), this 27^th International Congress of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine will be held at India’s largest International Convention and Exhibition Center (IICC).  More than 1300 abstracts have been reviewed thus far from 75+ countries with strong participation across Africa, Europe, Middle East, Latin America and Asia.

As corporate representative to the Executive board, Tricia Ravalico, comments that the enthusiasm across leaders has never been stronger.  Ana-Maria Šimundić, corporate representative on the IFCC Conference Organizing Committee shares that tremendous thought has been put into the planning of this event, reinforcing exceptional value awaits. Tricia and Ana-Maria invite all potential sponsors to participate and engage at this exceptional event.  Discover and build partnerships that are focused on the future of healthcare, challenging traditional thinking and contributing to the next chapter of laboratory medicine.

• Exciting Reasons to be a Sponsor:

Visibility with a Highly Targeted Audience

IFCC congresses attract laboratory directors, clinical chemists, pathologists, researchers, healthcare decision-makers, and laboratory medicine leaders from around the world. Sponsorship places a company directly in front of key customers and influencers.

Demonstrate Scientific Leadership

Companies can showcase innovations, clinical evidence, emerging technologies, and best practices through exhibits, workshops, and satellite symposia. This reinforces our corporate member role as scientific partners and not simply sponsors.

Influence the Future of Laboratory Medicine

IFCC corporate members can participate in committees, working groups, and divisions that help shape standards, education, and emerging technologies within the profession.

Brand Credibility and Trust

Association with the leading global organization in clinical chemistry and laboratory medicine enhances corporate reputation and demonstrates commitment to advancing patient care.

Networking and Relationship Building

Sponsorship creates opportunities to engage with key opinion leaders (KOLs), society leaders, researchers, regulators, and potential collaborators from 100+ countries.

• Valued Reasons to Attend

Stay Current on Science and Innovation

With an excellent scientific program, attendees gain early insight into advances in biomarkers, diagnostics, automation, AI, molecular testing, quality management, and laboratory medicine practices.

Understand Emerging Customer Needs

Direct interaction with laboratory professionals helps companies identify unmet needs, practice trends, workflow challenges, and future market opportunities.

Engage with Global Experts

IFCC conferences bring together international speakers and scientific leaders, providing opportunities for collaboration and scientific exchange.

Support Medical and Scientific Affairs Objectives

Corporate medical, scientific, and clinical affairs teams can build relationships with investigators, discuss real-world evidence, and identify opportunities for research partnerships.

Market Intelligence

The exhibition floor provides visibility into technologies, product launches, strategic priorities, and market direction.

Professional Development

Corporate scientists and medical affairs professionals gain education on evolving standards, regulations, quality initiatives, and clinical applications that can inform business strategy.

• Important Events during WorldLab 2026 

Multiple events are planned during WorldLab 2026 for which Corporate members can attend.  Two stand-out sessions worth reminding all corporate members about are noted with times and dates below:

– October 25^th, 2026. IFCC Council Meeting (09.00-13.00 Delhi local time)

– October 25^th, 2026. Executive Board Meeting with IFCC Corporate Members (14.00-16.00 Delhi local time)

We are excited for next steps and hope to see everyone in New Delhi this October.

Joe Wiencek, PhD, D(ABCC), FADLM
Chair, IFCC Task Force on Ethics

Immediate patient access to laboratory test results in ambulatory settings has become an increasingly prominent topic within laboratory medicine. To explore current global practices and professional perspectives, the IFCC Task Force on Ethics conducted a Survey on Laboratory Test Results Access in an Ambulatory Setting targeted to laboratory medicine professionals worldwide. A total of 756 respondents completed demographic questions, with 519 respondents answering the core questions related to access, perceptions, and implications of immediate result release (i.e., results available in electronic portals as soon as they are completed on the analyzer through autovalidation/autoverification without formal clinician review). While the findings provide valuable insight, they also highlight challenges related to survey engagement and representativeness that warrant careful consideration by other IFCC functional groups.

Respondents represented a broad range of laboratory roles, including medical laboratory scientists, laboratory directors, pathologists, and technologists, with the majority possessing advanced education and more than ten years of professional experience. Clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, and molecular diagnostics were the most represented lab medicine sub-specialties. Although participation spanned multiple countries, responses were heavily concentrated in a small number of regions, particularly Europe, with notable clustering in Poland (n=326, 43.2%) and Italy (n=127, 16.8%), while large portions of Africa, Asia, and Latin America were minimally represented or absent. This uneven geographic distribution underscores a recurring challenge in global surveys – reaching a representative international audience.

From a regulatory standpoint, respondents reported substantial heterogeneity. Approximately one‑third indicated that national laws mandate immediate patient access to test results, while over half stated that no such legal requirement exists, and a notable proportion were unsure of the regulatory framework in their own country. At the organizational level, however, more than half reported that patients do have immediate access within their health systems, suggesting that institutional policies often evolve independently of national legislation. Where delays persist (i.e., not immediately), results are most commonly released within one to two days.

Electronic patient portals were identified as the most common mechanism for result delivery, followed by in‑person visits and printed reports. Over half of respondents believed that patients have preferences regarding whether results should be held or released immediately, reinforcing the concept that patient autonomy and individualized communication strategies are increasingly relevant. However, uncertainty remained prevalent, with many respondents indicating a lack of clarity about patient expectations, highlighting a potential disconnect between the clinical laboratory and patient engagement strategies.

Overall laboratory medicine professional opinions regarding the impact of immediate access were mixed. A majority of respondents believed that patients would become more worried if results were released before clinician review, while others anticipated no change or even reduced anxiety. This doubt is reflected in attitudes toward the importance of immediate access. Specifically, many respondents viewed timely access as important or very important whereas a substantial proportion stated that patients should not have immediate access at all to their test results. Importantly, over 70% of respondents believed that certain abnormal results should be delivered only by healthcare professionals, or that the decision should depend on the specific test (e.g., HIV). These findings emphasize widespread concern about misinterpretation, emotional harm, and clinical responsibility.

Despite these concerns, many respondents acknowledged potential benefits. Nearly half believed that immediate access might empower patients to take a more active role in their healthcare and a large majority supported laboratory professionals serving as informational resources for patients, similar to the role pharmacists play in medication counseling. Conversely, most respondents rejected the notion that laboratory professionals should be held responsible for patient misinterpretation or adverse outcomes arising from direct/immediate access due to preanalytical or analytical errors, signaling unresolved ethical issues.

Beyond the substantive findings, this survey raises important methodological lessons for future IFCC initiatives. Although the total number of respondents was respectable, response attrition was substantial, with nearly one‑third skipping the core questions. The heavy regional clustering of responses, combined with underrepresentation from large global regions, limits the generalizability of conclusions and risks over‑interpretation. These challenges highlight the need for more targeted survey dissemination strategies through IFCC, language accessibility considerations (especially in the era of AI), regional partnerships, and sustained engagement efforts when IFCC seeks global input. Unfortunately, without such measures, even well‑designed surveys risk reflecting the perspectives of only a narrow subset of the international laboratory community.

In summary, this survey demonstrates both the complexity of immediate patient access to laboratory results and the difficulty of capturing globally representative professional perspectives. While it offers valuable insights into prevailing practices and concerns, it also serves as a cautionary example. IFCC functional groups should interpret these findings within the context of participation limitations and prioritize improved response strategies in future global initiatives to ensure that IFCC guidance reflects the full diversity of laboratory medicine worldwide.

Cardiovascular disease and cancer remain the two leading causes of death globally, and notably among residents in China. Encouragingly, advancements in oncology have significantly improved survival outcomes for patients with malignant tumors, with five-year survival rates increasing substantially over the past two decades. However, as patients live longer, cardiovascular complications associated with cancer therapies have emerged as an important and complex clinical challenge.

Cancer treatment-related cardiovascular toxicity (CTR-CVT) is now recognized as a significant and growing contributor to morbidity and mortality in oncology patients. In fact, it has become the second leading cause of death among cancer patients. These complications are often insidious in onset, frequently developing without clear early symptoms, which makes timely identification and intervention particularly challenging. As a result, cardio-oncology has rapidly evolved into a critical discipline, focused on balancing effective cancer treatment with cardiovascular safety. Despite increased awareness, many healthcare systems continue to rely on more reactive approaches, only evaluating cardiovascular function once patients develop symptoms. This can result in missed opportunities for early detection, delayed intervention, and ultimately poorer outcomes.

Recognizing this gap, an integrated clinical care team at the Cancer Hospital of Shandong First Medical University in Jinan, China implemented a proactive, laboratory-guided strategy designed to identify cardiovascular risk earlier and intervene more effectively. The integrated clinical care team, comprised of ICU physicians, Thoracic Surgery, Oncology and Laboratory Medicine introduced a proactive screening and monitoring program centered on high-sensitivity cardiac troponin (hs-cTn). Their approach integrated hs-cTn testing into both baseline risk assessment and ongoing monitoring for patients receiving cardiotoxic cancer therapies.

A key component of this initiative was comprehensive education and alignment across multiple clinical departments, including the Intensive Care Unit, respiratory medicine, pulmonary surgery, and thoracic radiation oncology. By embedding hs-cTn testing into routine workflows and ensuring clinician engagement, the team ensured that all eligible cancer patients undergo baseline hs-cTn testing prior to initiating therapy, as well as serial testing throughout treatment, enabling identification of those at moderate or high-risk of cardiac injury, allowing for timely adjustments in care.

Following implementation of this proactive, biomarker-guided approach, there was a 0.97% increase in the number of patients identified as being at moderate or high cardiovascular risk prior to initiating treatment, enabling preventive action earlier in the treatment pathway. Similarly, a 0.38% reduction in immune-associated myocarditis (Grade II or higher) was noted, along with a 50% reduction (from 8 deaths to 4) in cardiovascular mortality in patients receiving immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy.  A corresponding 37.5% reduction in ICU admissions among lung cancer patients with Grade III or higher immune-associated myocarditis was also noted. This 37.5% reduction translated into RMB 205,200 in mitigated costs associated with reduced ICU stays across 3 patients, at a cost savings of RMB 68,400 per patient.

This work represents an important step forward in the integration of laboratory medicine into cancer care. By leveraging hs-cTn as a tool for early detection and risk stratification, the Shandong team has demonstrated how a proactive approach can fundamentally change the trajectory of patient care. For their innovative and impactful work, the team at the Cancer Hospital of Shandong First Medical University received top honors in association with the 2026 UNIVANTS of Healthcare Excellence Awards. Congratulations to Zhijun Guo, Director and Chief physician, Intensive Care Unit, Hongbo Guo, Professor and Director, Department of Thoracic Surgery, Hui Zhu, Professor and Director, Department of Radiation Oncology, Xiaoyong Tang, Professor and Director, Department of Respiratory Medicine, Miaoqing Zhao, Professor and Director, Department of Pathology.

Maternal red cell alloimmunization is a complex immunological condition that can have profound consequences for both mother and fetus. It occurs when a pregnant woman develops antibodies against foreign red blood cell antigens, most often following prior pregnancy or transfusion. While relatively uncommon, these antibodies—typically IgG—can cross the placenta and destroy fetal red blood cells, resulting in hemolytic disease of the fetus and newborn (HDFN), a major contributor to perinatal morbidity and mortality.

Globally, the prevalence of alloimmunization varies widely (0.4% to 8.74%), and is estimated at approximately 2% within the Indian subcontinent. Among the most frequently encountered antibodies is anti-D, followed by others such as anti-C, anti-E, anti-Jkb, and anti-K. Given the potentially severe consequences including fetal anemia, hydrops fetalis, and cardiac failure, screening during pregnancy is essential. Current standards of care recommend that all antenatal mothers, regardless of RhD status, undergo antibody screening to identify at risk pregnancies. However, a key clinical challenge lies in the fact that a positive screen does not necessarily equate to clinical risk. In many healthcare settings, this has led to a “one-size-fits-all” approach, where all screen-positive patients undergo intensive monitoring, regardless of their actual likelihood of complications. This approach can burden patients with unnecessary interventions, exacerbate anxiety, and strain healthcare resources, while still leaving uncertainty in identifying those truly at highest risk.

Recognizing this unmet need, an integrated clinical care team at KIMSHEALTH Hospital in Trivandrum, implemented a laboratory-driven, patient-centered solution designed to transform how alloimmunization is managed. At the core of this initiative is a structured, stepwise diagnostic and management pathway built around laboratory insights, in which all antenatal patients undergo antibody screening using the indirect antiglobulin test (IAT). For those with a positive screen, the next critical step is definitive antibody identification using an expanded reagent panel. By determining the specific antibody present and whether it is clinically significant the team can stratify patients into meaningful risk categories. Importantly, the protocol also differentiates passive immunization (such as anti-D following Rh immunoglobulin administration) from true alloimmunization, using both clinical history and antibody titers.

Patients identified with clinically significant antibodies, such as anti-D, anti-E, or combinations like anti-D plus anti-C, are classified as high-risk. These patients undergo serial antibody titration, and when thresholds are met, they receive intensive fetal surveillance using middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity (MCA-PSV) Doppler measurements to detect fetal anemia. This allows for timely and targeted interventions, such as intrauterine transfusion (IUT) or exchange transfusion (ET), when necessary. Conversely, patients with benign antibodies (e.g., anti-Leb or anti-Lea) are categorized as low-risk, enabling safe de-escalation of care. These patients can subsequently avoid unnecessary specialist monitoring, reducing both clinical burden and emotional stress, without compromising outcomes.

Over a six-year period (2019–2024), 9,615 antenatal patients at KIMSHEALTH were screened using this approach. Of these, 109 patients screened positive for alloimmunization. Through the enhanced diagnostic pathway, 31 cases (28.4%) were identified as passive immunization, requiring no further work-up. Among the remaining 78 cases of true alloimmunization, 62.8% (49 patients) were accurately classified as high-risk. Among this high-risk cohort, 6.1% of fetuses required and received timely intrauterine transfusions, while 20.4% of neonates required exchange transfusions after delivery—interventions that are often lifesaving when appropriately timed. At the same time, 37.1% of patients were confidently identified as low-risk, with none of these patients required advanced fetal interventions or specialized monitoring, thus alleviating patient and family anxiety and redirecting resources to those in need.

“With definitive antibody identification guiding our practice, we are now able to stratify risk with far greater precision, directly enhancing patient safety. Knowing exactly which pregnancies are truly high-risk allows us to channel intensive fetal surveillance to the right patients, while safely de-escalating care for others, without compromising outcomes. This targeted clarity has markedly strengthened our clinical confidence, reduced unnecessary interventions, and ensured timely action for fetuses genuinely at risk” shared Dr. Vidyalekshmy R, Senior Consultant and Clinical Director, High Risk Obstetrics & Fetal, Medicine, KIMSHEALTH, Trivandrum

This revised screening and treatment pathway is endorsed by 100% of all obstetricians at KIMSHEALTH reflecting strong alignment between laboratory and clinical teams.

In addition to improving outcomes, the initiative has delivered measurable benefits to the healthcare system. By identifying both passive immunization cases and low-risk patients, unnecessary investigations and monitoring were avoided in a substantial proportion of cases. For low-risk patients alone, the reduction in Doppler ultrasounds and specialist consultations resulted in an average cost saving of 38,620 INR per patient, amounting to a total saving of over 1.1 million INR. These efficiencies highlight the broader value of laboratory medicine, not only in guiding clinical care, but also in supporting sustainable healthcare delivery.

For their impactful and innovative work, the KIMSHEALTH team was recognized as the Top Winner of the 2026 UNIVANTS of Healthcare Excellence Award. Congratulations to Sanooja Pinki S, Consultant, Coordinator and Group Blood Centre Officer, Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Prethika P A, Registrar & Quality Manager, Department of Immunohematology and Blood Transfusion, Vidyalekshmy R, Senior Consultant and Clinical Director, Department of High Risk Pregnancy and Fetal Medicine, Naveen Jain, Senior Consultant and Coordinator, Department of Neonatology, and Sajith Mohan R, Consultant and Coordinator, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

To learn more about this best practice and others, please visit www.UnivantsHCE.com

Timely access to accurate laboratory information has always been central to effective clinical decision-making. Yet the journey from specimen collection to result delivery can often be fragmented, delaying diagnosis, treatment, and ultimately impacting patient outcomes. At Jubail Health Network, Saudi Arabia, this challenge became a catalyst for transformation, prompting a multidisciplinary team to reimagine how laboratory medicine could better enable proactive, patient-centered care. The result was the Aynati Initiative.

Prior to implementation of Aynati, laboratory workflows across the Jubail Health Network relied heavily on manual and disconnected processes. Specimen transportation between primary healthcare centers (PHCs) and the central laboratory followed inconsistent courier cycles, while communication and documentation were fragmented and lacked real-time visibility. As a result, turnaround times (TAT) for routine chemistry testing ranged from 48 to 72 hours, and hormonal assays could take up to three weeks to complete. These delays had meaningful implications for patient care, including care pathways associated with preventive health and chronic disease management, where timely laboratory insights are essential for early intervention and treatment.

Recognizing these challenges, JHN aimed to build a connected, reliable, and patient-centered diagnostic ecosystem that could deliver faster, actionable results to clinicians and patients alike. The initiative brought together stakeholders from laboratory services, primary healthcare, family medicine, nursing, quality and patient safety, information technology, logistics, and transformation management to design and implement this digital transformation Initiative. Using the DMAIC framework (Define, Measure, Analyze, Improve, Control), a structured methodology rooted in Lean Six Sigma, the team conducted a comprehensive evaluation of the diagnostic workflow. Mapping the end-to-end specimen journey, from collection at PHCs to result reporting, enabled identification of key bottlenecks, including transportation delays, manual data entry, and communication gaps.

From this analysis, a series of integrated interventions were implemented, including 1) digital barcoding and specimen tracking, 2) Standardized courier cycles, 3)Full integration between the hospital information system and laboratory systems, 4) Real-time monitoring dashboards, 5) Automated alerts and notifications, 6) Unified digital workflows across PHCs and the central laboratory, and 7) a patient and clinician notifications via national digital platforms. Importantly, these changes were not implemented in isolation. Continuous monitoring, supported by dashboards, daily performance reviews, and weekly evaluations, ensured that improvements were sustained and refined over time.

Following implementation, the average laboratory turnaround time for chemistry tests decreased from 48–72 hours to less than 8 hours, representing an 83.3% reduction. Hormonal assays improved from up to three weeks to less than 24 hours, a 95.2% reduction, shares Fatimah Al-Humaili, Supervisor of Data Management & Analytics.

Introduction of real-time tracking and digital integration reduced the need for manual follow-up communication, resulting in a 70% decrease in clinician calls to the laboratory. This not only freed up valuable staff time but also minimized disruptions and improved workflow efficiency across departments. Enhanced diagnostic efficiency also supported expanded screening and virtual care initiatives. For example, diabetes screening increased >3-fold, and colorectal cancer screening rates almost doubled. This was accompanied by notable improvements in patient experience scores, improving from 81.7% in early 2023 to 86.0% in early 2025, reflecting greater trust and satisfaction with the healthcare system. Finally, by streamlining specimen transport and eliminating inefficiencies, the initiative reduced unnecessary transportation costs by over 383,000 Saudi Riyals.

For their collaborative efforts, the team behind the Aynati Initiative received top honors in association with the 2026 UNIVANTS of Healthcare Excellence awards. Congratulations to Hussein AlSadiq, Biochemistry and Hormone Unit Supervisor, Ahood Al-Ghamdi, Chief Operating Officer, Roaa Al-Mousa, Manager of Primary Healthcare Centers, Suad Aman, Supervisor of Quality, Nursing and Aynati in PHC, and Fatimah Al-Humaili, Supervisor of Data Management and Analytics.

To learn more about this best practice, and others, please visit www.UnivantsHCE.com

EFLM would like to draw attention to the following important information:

The Challenge We Face

The European In Vitro Diagnostic Regulation (IVDR) was designed with a vital goal: to ensure safety, quality, and transparency in diagnostic testing. These are values we all strongly support. However, in its current form, Article 5.5 creates unintended consequences. Hospital and public health laboratories, key pillars of our healthcare systems, rely on in-house developed tests to meet specific clinical needs where commercial tests are unavailable, unsuitable, or too slow to implement. These tests are not niche luxuries. They are essential for patient care, particularly in rare diseases, oncology, infectious disease outbreaks and rapid response situations.

For this reason, EFLM fully supports the Art 5.5 reform in the revised IVDR law proposal d.d. 16 December 2025 to ensure that medical laboratories can continue to develop and use in-house tests when necessary in the best interests of patients, while maintaining the highest standards of quality and safety.

Click here to read the EFLM position statement.

By: Rana Khanafsa, IFCC National Representative – Palestinian Medical Technology Association

The Palestinian Medical Technology Association (PMTA) proudly celebrated IFCC Global MedLab Week 2026 through a coordinated national program held from 20–26 April 2026. The program brought together PMTA sub-committees from 11 governorates in the West Bank, including the Gaza Strip, reflecting a unified national commitment to promoting the role of laboratory medicine in healthcare, diagnosis, patient management, public health, and community service.

This year’s participation highlighted the dedication of Palestinian medical laboratory professionals and their essential contribution to healthcare delivery, particularly in challenging circumstances. Through scientific, professional, institutional, and community-based activities, PMTA aimed to increase public awareness of laboratory medicine and strengthen collaboration between laboratory professionals, healthcare institutions, universities, schools, and local communities.

As part of its participation in the Global MedLab Week international media competition, PMTA prepared nine educational videos, four professional podcasts, and twenty-one photographs. These materials showcased laboratory practices, the professional role of medical laboratory specialists, and community engagement activities across Palestine.

Across the country, the program included official launches, field visits to governmental and private laboratories, engagement with academic institutions, blood donation campaigns, scientific lectures, awareness sessions, health screening activities, and community outreach initiatives. Each sub-committee contributed through a locally tailored program while maintaining one shared message: laboratory medicine is a central pillar of healthcare and public health.

In Nablus, the program began with an official launch by the governorate, followed by a commemorative activity honoring the late founder, Dr. Osama Al-Najjar. The activities also included blood donation campaigns, awareness sessions, a scientific day, and professional engagement activities.

In Ramallah, the sub-committee organized a comprehensive program that included official engagement, field visits to major laboratories and specialized centers, media outreach, interactive online meetings, and a scientific lecture. These activities emphasized the importance of professional visibility and communication between laboratory professionals and the wider healthcare community.

In Tubas, activities focused on community engagement through institutional visits, awareness campaigns in schools and universities, a blood donation initiative, and scientific and social activities. In Salfit, the program emphasized community service through health screening campaigns targeting elderly populations, awareness sessions, a blood donation campaign, and a scientific meeting.

In Hebron, the activities highlighted institutional collaboration through official visits, engagement with laboratories and universities, and the organization of a scientific lecture and a blood donation campaign. The Jerusalem sub-committee delivered a diverse program integrating scientific, social, and recreational components, including a scientific competition, sports activities, laboratory visits, and the launch of a new issue of the Laboratory Medicine Magazine.

In Jericho, the program included laboratory and institutional visits, a scientific lecture, a blood donation campaign, and a general assembly meeting. The Tulkarm sub-committee organized scientific evenings, participated in national activities, and conducted a blood donation campaign.

In Jenin, activities focused on community-centered services, including visits to elderly care facilities, provision of laboratory testing, field visits to professionals, and participation in a blood donation campaign. In Bethlehem, the program included scientific lectures in collaboration with academic and professional experts, community-based outreach such as free blood glucose testing, and interactive events to strengthen engagement between laboratory professionals and the public.

In Qalqilya, the program reflected strong community and institutional involvement, including visits to official institutions, blood donation campaigns supporting patients with chronic conditions, recognition of laboratory professionals in the governmental sector, and free medical activities in schools and care centers. The program also included a scientific session, a general assembly, and professional discussions on continuing education and social support initiatives.

Importantly, the Gaza Strip also participated in Global MedLab Week 2026, ensuring that PMTA’s celebration represented laboratory professionals across Palestine. This participation carried special significance given the difficult circumstances faced by healthcare workers and medical laboratory professionals in Gaza and reflected their resilience, dedication, and continued commitment to patient care and public health.

Overall, PMTA’s participation in IFCC Global MedLab Week 2026 represented a successful nationwide effort to celebrate laboratory medicine, strengthen professional identity, and connect laboratory professionals with the communities they serve. Through scientific activities, media engagement, community service, and institutional collaboration, PMTA highlighted the essential and evolving role of laboratory medicine in supporting healthcare delivery in Palestine.

Dr. Vivek Pant, Scientific Chair- NACC Congress 2026
Dr. Ram Vinod Mahato, Organizing Secretary- NACC Congress 2026
Dr. Santosh Pradhan, General Secretary- NACC 

The 6th Annual NACC Congress was successfully held on May 30–31, 2026, at the Square Hotel in Lalitpur, Nepal. Held under the auspices of IFCC and the APFCB, the event gathered leading faculties, clinical biochemists, researchers, and young scientist across Nepal.

Congress Theme and Focus

This year’s congress centered on the theme: “Transforming Laboratory Medicine in Resource-Limited Settings: The Role of Point-of-Care Testing (POCT), Digital Integration, and Clinical Impact.” The sessions highlighted practical frameworks to upgrade diagnostic capacities in Nepal’s remote and rural healthcare facilities.

Inaugural Ceremony and Keynote Addresses

The congress was inaugurated by the Chief Guest, Hon’ble Dr. Ojaswee Sherchand, Chair of the Education, Health and Information Technology Committee, Federal Parliamentary Committee, who emphasized the crucial role of Biochemistry in diagnosis, treatment, and disease monitoring. NACC President Prof. Dr. Madhab Lamsal welcomed the delegates and highlighted the changing landscape of laboratory diagnostics in Nepal, stressing that integrating digital solutions and automated workflows is an urgent necessity to reduce diagnostic errors and improve clinical outcomes nationwide.

Scientific Program Highlights

The 6th Annual NACC Congress featured a robust scientific program spanning cutting-edge topics in molecular diagnostics, artificial intelligence, and digital health integration, delivered by distinguished national and international experts.

• Genetic Testing and Molecular Diagnostics

Dr. Orland Díez Gibert delivered a keynote on “Genetic testing for Hereditary Cancer in Resource-Limited Settings,” examining how point-of-care testing and digital integration can expand access to genetic screening in regions with limited laboratory infrastructure. Dr. Jay Prakash Sah followed with a presentation on “Rapid Molecular Diagnosis,” highlighting its role in enhancing clinical decision-making and patient outcomes, particularly in acute care settings where timely diagnosis is critical.

• Emerging Biomarkers and Therapeutics

Dr. Kul Raj Rai presented on “Non-Coding RNAs and ncRNA-Encoded Micro peptides,” exploring the emerging potential roles of these molecules in both diagnostics and therapeutics. This session underscored the growing importance of RNA-based biomarkers in laboratory medicine and their potential for translation into clinical practice.

• Artificial Intelligence in Laboratory Medicine

Dr. Anirban Ganguly delivered a forward-looking presentation on the “Applications of AI in Clinical Biochemistry Lab,” examining how machine learning algorithms can enhance diagnostic accuracy, streamline workflow automation, and support clinical decision-making. This session addressed the growing intersection of computational approaches and laboratory medicine, reflecting global trends in the field.

• Digital Integration and Point-of-Care Testing

Dr. Rajiv R. Sinha presented on “Connecting Care: Digital Infrastructure and POCT Redefining Lab Medicine,” emphasizing the transformative potential of digital health solutions in bridging diagnostic gaps in resource-limited settings. The presentation highlighted practical frameworks for integrating point-of-care testing with digital health records to enable real-time clinical interventions.

• Oral and Poster Presentations

The scientific program also featured oral presentations from early-career researchers, covering topics including diagnostic test evaluation and validation by Dr. Ashok Joshi, alongside original research presentations from young scientists competing for travel grants generously sponsored by Techno Biomed. A dedicated digital poster session with 26 presentations provided additional opportunities for knowledge exchange and networking.

• Corporate Scientific Sessions

Technology partners including Techno Biomed Pvt Ltd, Snibe Diagnostic, Wondfo Biotech, Edan and Lab Line Traders contributed to the scientific discourse through corporate sessions highlighting innovations in diagnostic technologies and their applications in laboratory medicine.

Awards and Recognition

A key focus of the congress was fostering young scientists. The congress awarded travel grants and recognized outstanding research. The winners were:

• Oral Presentation: Mr. Narayan Gautam (Universal College of Medical Science)
• Poster Presentations: Mr. Pritam Singh Sunwar (Institute of Medicine), Ms. Laxmi Poudel (Universal College of Medical Science), and Ms. Banjita Neupane (Kathmandu University School of Medicine)
• Techno Biomed Travel Grants: Mr. Sujit Das and Ms. Kusum Chhetri (Universal College of Medical Science).

Policy Advocacy and New Executive Board

A significant outcome of the congress was the advocacy for the professional rights and official recognition of Clinical Biochemistry graduates in Nepal’s public and private healthcare hierarchies. The congress concluded with the election of a new Executive Board for NACC. Prof. Dr. Prabodh Risal was elected as the new President, succeeding Prof. Dr. Madhab Lamsal. The new board members are as follow-

Conclusion

The 6th NACC Congress was a resounding success, serving as a critical platform for knowledge exchange, collaboration, and strategic planning to advance laboratory medicine in Nepal. The breadth of topics from molecular diagnostics and AI to digital health infrastructure reflects NACC’s commitment to advancing laboratory medicine in Nepal through scientific excellence and technological innovation. The event concluded with a commitment from NACC to partner with public health bodies to standardize laboratory diagnostics in all seven provinces of Nepal.

Târgu Mureș, Romania, 27-29 May 2026

By: Dr. Daniela Jitaru, Romanian Association of Laboratory Medicine (RALM) President

The 17^th National Conference with international participation of the Romanian Association of Laboratory Medicine (RALM), organized under the auspices of IFCC and EFLM and in collaboration with the Romanian Society of Microbiology, the Romanian Society of Hematology and the Universities of Medicine and Pharmacy of Bucharest, Târgu Mures, Cluj Napoca, Iași, and Timișoara, took place on 27-29 May 2026 in Târgu Mureș, Romania.

The event took place over 3 days in the Business Hotel from Târgu Mureș, which hosted the conference attended by 750 participants including doctors, biologists, chemists and scientists working in medical laboratories.

The scientific program comprised 10 sessions of plenary reports (31) and brief oral communications (57), and 2 poster sessions at which a total number of 46 electronic posters were presented. Thus, this program provided an excellent opportunity for participants to learn, be trained and find concrete answers for different situations encountered in everyday practice.

The posters and the slides for the oral presentations were written in English and conference abstracts were published in a supplement of Romanian Journal of Laboratory Medicine, a journal indexed in the ISI Web of Knowledge – Web of Science – Science Citation Index Expanded (Clarivate analytics) since 2008. Topics of interest in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, molecular biology, laboratory management and quality control, along with professional guidelines were addressed during the various sessions. Among them, we mention: Laboratory quality management/ proficiency testing, tumor markers, advanced methods in hemato-oncology, advances in transplant immunology, clinical biochemistry, microbiology, transfusion medicine

The participants had the opportunity to ask questions and make comments after presentations, and also to share their experience in a particular field.

Eleven speakers from abroad were invited to give their lecture at the congress:

1. Panagiotis Tsiamyrtzis – Dept. of Mechanical Engineering, Politecnico di Milano & Dept. of Statistics, Athens University of Economics and Business
2. Ágota Drégelyi-Kiss – Óbuda University, Budapest, Hungary
3. Peter Mori – MSc, Product Specialist Clinical Diagnostics
4. Carla Escudero Martin – Senior Business Development manager, Beckman Coulter Diagnostics
5. Ana Veselovskaia – Nicolae Testemițanu State University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Chișinău, Moldova (the Republic of)
6. Diana Andrușca – Laboratory of Immunology and Molecular Genetics, PMSI Oncology Institute, Chișinău, Moldova (the Republic of)
7. Sarah Fiers – Specialist diagnostic staining solutions ELITech Biomedical Systems (Bruker)
8. Lambert Zhong – SNIBE Symposiums – Beyond automation, towards excellence
9. Yannis Yang – SNIBE Symposiums – Operational excellence – SNIBE new-gen laboratory automation system hit the market
10. Patricia Hoffmann – Sante Symposium
11. Olga Bernaz – USMF “Nicolae Testemiţanu”, Chișinău, Moldova (the Republic of)

Also, 71 invited speakers from Romanian academic institutions significantly contributed to the scientific program of the congress.

As RALM manifests a strong interest in encouraging and motivating young laboratory professionals, many communications and posters were presented by young colleagues, most of them PhD fellows. During the conference a large exhibition of equipment, reagents, supplies, software was held, being involved 31 IVD companies. In addition, diagnostic industry organized 16 workshops that introduced new technologies and clinical assays.

After the closing ceremony, the general assembly of RAML took place where the president awarded the Marcela Zamfirescu Gheorghiu Prize for the best poster.

The scientific quality and variety of topics included in the program, as well as the level of organization of the conference, led to a successful scientific and professional event.