In an on-site mission to Oman conducted during the period 7-9 January 2020, WHO experts have re-certified the proficiency of the measles/rubella laboratory.
As one of two WHO Regional Reference Laboratories, this specialized laboratory monitors the performance and provides technical support to all 22 countries of the Eastern Mediterranean Region. The results of the laboratory were critical to demonstrate that Oman has achieved elimination of measles/rubella. WHO also acknowledges the pivotal role of the Oman laboratory for the successful elimination of the two viral diseases in Bahrain and in Islamic Republic of Iran. Indeed the results of its molecular tests are indispensable for investigating the epidemiology of measles, for identifying sources of infection and for tracing routes of transmission between cases not only in Oman, but also throughout the Region. Thus, as one of only few WHO Regional Reference Laboratories, the centre in Oman plays a highly prominent role within the WHO Global Laboratory Network of more than 700 national and subnational laboratories. With the resurgence of measles in many countries, its contribution towards the WHO effort for worldwide measles/rubella elimination becomes ever more important.
The WHO expert team included Dr. Amany Ghoniem, the WHO Regional Laboratory Coordinator based in WHO Regional Office for the Eastern Mediterranean, Cairo and Prof. Claude P. Muller of the WHO Regional Reference Laboratory based at the Luxembourg Institute of Health in Luxembourg, Europe.
