The world needs ready to test reference laboratories and functional public health laboratory networks, from the subnational to the supranational level, to respond to health emergencies.
For WHO to advocate for countries to invest sustainably in their public health laboratory systems and reference laboratories, a type of recognition for high-performing laboratories with functional capacities could be provided.
WHO proposes to offer such an external recognition programme to assess the performance of national reference laboratories that test for pathogens with epidemic and pandemic potential and are mandated with public health functions at the national level and recognize when functional capacity is available. This programme will constitute a unified framework, addressing both cross-cutting elements of laboratory capacity and disease specific ones, to drive laboratory capacity building and systems strengthening.
WHO held a global consultation to:
- Present the proposed recognition programme,
- Reflect on the laboratory capacity building global architecture
- Hear the lessons learnt from existing programmes with recognition elements
- Revise the proposed key elements of the recognition programme accordingly.
This consultation was made possible through the financial support of the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) - Global Europe under the umbrella of the European Union CBRN Centers of Excellence Initiative