WHO works with public health specialists in the Region in the field of laboratory networksThe blood safety, laboratory and imaging programme provides technical support in establishing national plans for strengthening the capacity of public health specialists in the field of laboratory networks across the Region and promotes quality management of laboratory services as part of national strategic plans for public health reform.

The programme also aims to ensure provision of universal access to safe, quality and efficacious blood and blood products for transfusion, their safe and appropriate use, and also to ensure blood donor and patient safety.

The programme also:

establishes regional external quality assessment schemes in microbiology, haematology and clinical chemistry

provides technical support in establishing functioning national health laboratory networks

trains nationals on laboratory management, antimicrobial resistance testing, biosafety and laboratory biosecurity

provides technical support in establishing national quality assessment schemes.