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TBS issues alert on measurements
2007-05-20 09:25:32
By Patrick Kisembo
The Tanzania Bureau of Standards (TBS) has warned against use of unqualified measurements, saying they cause bad effects to the communities and the nation.
The warning was given by the TBS acting Director Charles Ekelege when addressing reporters on the importance of World Metrology Day to be celebrated on 20 May every year.
Ekelege said: ``We are cautioning the general public to be aware of measurements that are being utilized by different stakeholders and to be inquisitive on whether they have been tested or not.``
He said Tanzania is following the 1875 metre convention which insists on the use SI units an international system of measurements.
``Our country has decided to use the SI units and the TBS metrology laboratory is the overseer of all national measurement standards,`` he said.
He said having a national overseer ensures that all measurements in the country are accurate and traceable.
``It would be disgusting to see a patient in hospital measuring his/her temperature finding that it is 42degrees celcius, or blood pressure or weight, while it is wrong.
This might force the doctor to prescribe medicine according to the measurement ending up creating more problems to the patient,`` he said.
He said the same can happen to other facilities like cars where the measurement for carbon monoxide or other tools is wrong.
``It may cause experts to concentrate on what is not an exact problem, thereby wasting a lot of resources.``
He noted that what was needed was for all measurements to be the same whether in Tanzania, Kenya, Britain or elsewhere.
``But we can only prove that all measurements are the same as those of other countries if our facilities in use have been improved and checked at the metrology laboratory of TBS,`` he noted.
The decision of the government to establish a metrology laboratory was made deliberately to ensure that Tanzanians use proper measurements.
The laboratory has an accreditation certificate against ISO 17025 which it got on December 2006.
This is among the four metrology laboratories in Africa . The only countries with such laboratories include Kenya , South Africa, Egypt and Tanzania .
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