Building High Quality Laboratories

Public Health Impact: International Laboratories

Quality laboratory systems are essential for detecting and responding effectively to HIV and other diseases. CDC, through PEPFAR, has helped support the development of the following ^*:

• More than 1,900 full and integrated, non-disease specific, clinical laboratories
• More than 16,500 HIV testing sites throughout the world
• Diagnostic assistance and training to in-country laboratories that collectively tested 11 million pregnant women for HIV, leading to the prevention of mother-to-child transmission and allowing 230,000 infants to be born HIV-free (Fiscal year 2012)
• Over 280 laboratories in 22 countries working towards laboratory accreditation
• National strategic plans for laboratories in 18 countries for the transition of laboratory systems and services to country ownership
• 481 laboratorians trained from 23 countries through the African Center for Integrated Laboratory Training

^*Fiscal year 2011 unless otherwise indicated

Download our International Laboratories Fact Sheet for more details.

CDC is establishing and strengthening international laboratories for rapid, effective disease response

A strong national public health laboratory system is essential for responding effectively to HIV and other diseases, and is crucial to rapidly detect and control emerging global public health threats. As a key partner agency for the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), CDC works with countries to build high quality laboratory systems and services that are critical for HIV prevention, care and treatment, as well as for other diseases. CDC also works to leverage PEPFAR resources including laboratories by linking them to other mainstream healthcare services. This integrated healthcare approach strengthens a country’s entire healthcare system.

Scientific and technical expertise to establish high quality international laboratory systems and services

CDC works with Ministries of Health to ensure that all scientific and technical aspects of laboratory procurement, standardization, quality control, and quality assurance are established by:

• Building high quality laboratory systems and services for diagnosis in support of HIV care and treatment, prevention, and HIV/tuberculosis (TB) co-infection. CDC provides support on quality control and quality assurance of laboratories and testing activities.

• Providing technical expertise for laboratory accreditation to expand and standardize the quality of laboratories for a sustainable system.

• Providing technical expertise on evaluation and implementation of equipment and assays for appropriate use and placement in PEPFAR-supported countries.

Critical leadership for transitioning sustainable laboratory systems and services to local country ownership

CDC collaborates with Ministries of Health to build their capacity to establish and maintain national laboratory systems and services by:

• Providing technical expertise to develop national strategic plans for laboratories that help countries respond effectively to HIV and other diseases, and support the transition of laboratory systems and services to country ownership.

• Providing on-site training and mentoring to develop a qualified local workforce capable of managing efficient laboratories that support quality assurance systems and timely, reliable testing.