PROJECT 076 (IfS): STRONGLABS - Preventing biological risks increased by environmental and climate change by strengthening Public Health Laboratories

Context

A strong national public health laboratory system has been recognized globally as a core capacity required by all countries to minimize biological risks and maximize global health security, especially those that may be increased by climate change. This has been formalized in the form of the International Health Regulations (IHR), agreed by WHO Member States during the 2005 World Health Assembly. This requirement is ever more imperative in the context of global climate change which has impacted the frequency, severity, and geographical locations of many communicable disease threats.

Overall objective

To support continued strengthening of national public health laboratory systems, in line with identified IHR core capacities.

Specific objectives

To minimize biological risks increased by environmental and climate change.

Activities

1. Strengthening specimen referral transport systems;
2. Implementing laboratory biosafety and biosecurity regimes;
3. Assuring that quality laboratory diagnostic capacity exists for priority diseases.

Achievements

• Distribution of a global proficiency testing for RT-PCR Testing of SARS-CoV-2
• Global webinar series on SARS-CoV-2 testing and other laboratory-related subjects (over 10,000 registrations from 180 countries);
• Online self-training course guiding implementation of antigen rapid diagnostic testing for SARS-CoV-2;
• Materials and training on WHO Laboratory Biosafety Manual 4th Edition across the Eastern Mediterranean Region;
• Laboratory assessments for quality management and biosafety/biosecurity in Burkina Faso;
• 15 participants trained in Global Laboratory Leadership Programme pilot in Kazakhstan.