The “Better Labs for Better Health” initiative to strengthen laboratory systems in the WHO European Region. Activity report (2016)

A proposal for the Better Labs for Better Health initiative was developed in 2012 based on a situational analysis in priority eastern (Newly Independent States) and south-eastern European countries and with input from the Divisions of Communicable Diseases, Health Security and Environment and Health Systems at the Regional Office and WHO headquarters. Countries were invited to formally commit to the initiative and, by the end of 2015, the Republic of Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan had provided such commitment.

The Better Labs for Better Health initiative operates within the WHO framework, applying WHO methodologies and tools, and working with other WHO initiatives wherever appropriate. Examples of this are collaboration with the Control of Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) programme and training on use of the LQMS manual. The initiative also works with the following WHO programmes: International Health Regulations; Influenza and Other Respiratory Pathogens; Vaccine-preventable Diseases and Immunization; Joint Tuberculosis, HIV/AIDS and hepatitis; Alert and Response Operations; and Food Safety