Laboratory Strengthening in Uzbekistan
WHO
Updated 26 September 2016
The Ministry of Health of Uzbekistan welcomed the Better-Labs-for-Better Health (BLBH) initiative in 2014. The process for the establishment of a multidisciplinary group of local experts representing different areas of laboratory services, in the form of a National Laboratory Working Group (NLWG) was initiated, and the NLWG has started its activities under the BLBH initiative. The NLWG aims to strengthen laboratory services by focusing on in-country capacity building.
During this time the NLWG, with support from WHO/Europe:
- conducted 5 workshops on the development of a national laboratory policy between 2014 and 2016;
- conducted one laboratory strategy development mission, which included tutoring and performance of a case study on the International Health Regulations (2005); and
- undertook a preliminary assessment of laboratory teaching curricula using methods provided during two national laboratory curriculum development workshops.
Over the last two years, working closely with WHO Regional Office for Europe and its Country Office in Uzbekistan, the NLWG has conducted a Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) analysis of the existing national laboratory system, identified policy statements and drafted a National Laboratory Policy. Meetings of the NLWG are regular and effective. The National Policy is being finalized for the approval of the Ministry of Health.
