Enhancing laboratory preparedness in Eastern Partnership countries to address respiratory health threats

“The European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC) brings together experts from Eastern Partnership countries (Armenia, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine) to strengthen laboratory preparedness for future major health threats related to respiratory infectious diseases

The laboratory preparedness workshop, held in Stockholm, Sweden, on 24–25 March, focuses on helping national experts reflect on the challenges public health laboratories faced during COVID-19 and other respiratory outbreaks, including pressures on workforce, equipment, supply chains, procurement, digitalisation and coordination capacity. It also helps these countries identify gaps, share good practices, and develop practical approaches to more resilient public health laboratory systems.

Participants examine what did and did not work, how challenges were addressed, and what is needed to sustain progress. The exercise includes exchanges with EU/EEA country experts, discussion of laboratory capacity assessments and recommendations for preparedness planning tailored to national contexts. 

The exercise is part of Health Resilience in the Eastern Partnership, a three-year initiative (2025–2027), funded by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for Enlargement and the Eastern Neighbourhood supporting Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine to strengthen their health systems and preparedness for major cross-border health threats. 

Within this initiative, ECDC leads the implementation of work on public health preparedness and response. By supporting a regional community of practice and helping countries develop contextualised knowledge and tools, ECDC aims to strengthen long-term health resilience across the Eastern Partnership.