Public health laboratories
Public health laboratories are responsible for providing timely and reliable results primarily for the purpose of disease control and prevention. They perform core public health and environmental activities, including public health reference tests, disease prevention, control, and surveillance, population-based interventions, and communication with healthcare providers on appropriate patient care, and emergency response efforts.
Well-functioning and sustainable laboratory services are essential for strong health systems and crucial for improving public health.
Recent publications
Strategic framework for strengthening health laboratory services 2016–2020
Strategic framework for blood safety and availability 2016–2025
Guidance on the regulation for the transport of infectious substances 2013–2014
Laboratory quality management system: handbook
Laboratory biosafety manual - third edition
Policy documents
Laboratory Biorisk Management: Strategic Framework for Action 2012–2016
Policy framework for implementing new tuberculosis diagnostics [pdf 946kb]
Links
WHO Emerging and Dangerous Pathogens Laboratory Network (EDPLN)
WHO Collaborating Centres and Essential Regulatory Laboratories
Related programmes
Blood safety, laboratory and imaging
International Health Regulations
Related topics
Laboratory quality management system
Laboratory information management system
Collaborating centres
Ministry of Health, Saudi Arabia
WHO Collaborating Centre for Transfusion Medicine , Jordanian Ministry of Health