Laboratory capacity

Laboratories are on the front-line when it comes to responding to outbreaks. Laboratory networks in the WHO European Region have played a key role in responses to, among others, the 2014 Ebola crisis in West Africa, the 2010 outbreak of poliomyelitis in central Asia, and the ongoing outbreaks of Middle East respiratory syndrome coronavirus (MERS-CoV), avian influenza A (H7N9) and Zika virus disease.

Outbreak response includes ensuring that laboratories have the capacity to rapidly and correctly identify the pathogenic cause of an outbreak, and to swiftly communicate their findings in order to support control measures.

Reliable and accessible laboratory services capable of producing results in a timely manner are therefore an essential component of any country’s early detection and response systems. However, the performance of public health laboratories is hindered by a number of challenges including insufficient financial and human resources, equipment and supplies, quality and biosafety, and sample referral and transport systems. As such, establishing a network of laboratories operating according to international principles of quality and safety is key to effective emergency preparedness.

Based on the premise that tiered laboratory systems operating to national or international (ISO) laboratory standards would strengthen International Health Regulations (IHR) core capacities, in 2012 the WHO/Europe launched the Better Labs for Better Health initiative, an intersectoral approach to strengthening laboratory systems as a whole, through the development of national laboratory policies and strategies, the implementation of laboratory quality management systems and improved training programs for laboratory staff.

WHO/Europe provides support to laboratory networks responsible for disease-specific programs and emergency response, through its networks and WHO Collaborating Centres.