2001
The National Health Laboratory Service is established
The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) was established through legislation to combine all laboratories in the public health system. This moment aptly affirmed the pride of an unfolding country and transformed the public health service.
2002
The National Institute for Communicable Diseases is established
The specialist communicable disease arm, the National Institute for Communicable Diseases (NICD) was established under the NHLS. This formation came into being through the merging of the National Institute for Virology, the Virology Laboratories and Public Health Microbiology Laboratories of the South African Institute for Medical Research.
2003
The National Health Laboratory Service is launched
Minister Manto Tshabalala-Msimang officially launched the NHLS on 26 November.
2004
Formation of an Umbrella Agreement to govern relations
The National Academic Pathology Committee, comprising of representatives from the faculty of health sciences from Universities and Technikons, formed a committee to develop an Umbrella Agreement to govern relationships between universities and the NHLS.