WHO in collaboration with the Ministry of Health conducted a workshop for the staff of the public health laboratories  under the EWARS programme, from 2 to 4 December 2013.

Inadequacy of samples collected for diseases reported under EWARS prompted the need to train laboratory staff and technicians on specimen issues (i.e. collecting, preserving and shipping specimens to the reference laboratory or public health laboratories in governorates). The main objectives of the workshop were to refresh the knowledge of the participants on laboratory issues related to the diseases reported under EWARS programme, methods of laboratory diagnosis and specimen issues.

The workshop was attended by 58 participants from the reference laboratory in Damascus and the public health laboratories in the governorates of Daraa and Suwaida.

Participants recommended conducting more training workshops on laboratory diagnosis of diseases reported under EWARS, in addition to sustaining the collaboration between WHO and the Ministry of Health to achieve the goals of the EWARS programme.