National Health Laboratory Service

National Health Laboratory Service
Agency overview
Formed	2001
Preceding agencies	South African Institute for Medical Research; National Centre for Occupational Health; National Institute for Virology;
Jurisdiction	South Africa
Employees	≈ 8000
Annual budget	R1.082 billion (2019/20); R747 million (2020/21); R641.8 million (2021/22);
Parent department	Department of Health
Key documents	National Health Act 61 of 2003; National Health Laboratory Service Act 37 of 2000;
Website	www.nhls.ac.za
Map

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) is a South African national government institution established in 2001. It was created by merging the South African Institute for Medical Research (SAIMR), the National Centre for Occupational Health and the National Institute for Virology. It also absorbed various provincial health department and university-run pathology laboratories.

The NHLS is the diagnostic pathology service for the public sector in South Africa. A network of 265 laboratories service all public hospitals and clinics in the country.

Agency overview


Formed	2001 (2001)
Preceding agencies	South African Institute for Medical Research National Centre for Occupational Health National Institute for Virology
Jurisdiction	South Africa
Employees	≈ 8000
Annual budget	R1.082 billion (2019/20) R747 million (2020/21) R641.8 million (2021/22)
Parent department	Department of Health
Key documents	National Health Act 61 of 2003 National Health Laboratory Service Act 37 of 2000
Website	www.nhls.ac.za
Map