Event highlights
30 laboratory professionals from 15 provinces across Türkiye gathered in Ankara for the Antituberculosis Drug Resistance Surveillance Applied Training, a 5-day programme designed to strengthen national capacities for tuberculosis (TB) drug resistance surveillance. The training placed particular emphasis on supporting laboratory professionals serving earthquake-affected provinces, contributing to more resilient laboratory services and improved preparedness for public health emergencies.
The programme combined theoretical sessions with intensive laboratory-based practical exercises, enabling participants to strengthen their competencies in TB drug resistance surveillance, laboratory diagnostic processes and quality management. By enhancing technical expertise and promoting standardized laboratory practices, the training contributes to strengthening the national TB laboratory network and improving surveillance and diagnostic capacity across the country.
The training was delivered by experts from the Ministry of Health’s General Directorate of Public Health, including the Department of Microbiology Reference Laboratories and Biological Products and the Department of Tuberculosis, together with experienced academic specialists.
“Since 2015, the National TB Reference Laboratory has been organizing tuberculosis training programmes to continuously strengthen laboratory capacity across Türkiye. In the past 2 years, we have been delivering these trainings in collaboration with the WHO Country Office in Türkiye. This partnership supports the Ministry of Health’s long-term strategy to build a stronger and more standardized national tuberculosis laboratory network by ensuring that laboratory professionals across the country apply the same high-quality diagnostic and surveillance standards,” said Ahmet Arslantürk, a microbiology specialist at the National TB Reference Laboratory.
The training was organized by the Department of Microbiology Reference Laboratories and Biological Products of the Ministry of Health’s General Directorate of Public Health in collaboration with the WHO Country Office in Türkiye under the European Union-funded project “Strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies”.
Implemented since 2021 under the leadership of the Ministry of Health of Türkiye, with technical support from the WHO Country Office in Türkiye and financial support from the Delegation of the European Union to Türkiye, the project strengthens laboratory and surveillance capacities to improve preparedness for public health emergencies. With a particular focus on provinces affected by the 2023 earthquakes, the initiative combines national ownership, international technical expertise and strategic partnership to reinforce resilient health systems across the country.
“Strong laboratory systems are at the heart of effective public health preparedness and response. This collaboration demonstrates how national leadership, supported by WHO’s technical expertise and the European Union’s generous contribution, can strengthen the skills of laboratory professionals and reinforce surveillance systems that protect communities across Türkiye. By investing in people and institutions today, we are also strengthening the country’s readiness to respond to future public health threats,” said Bahadır Sucaklı, an epidemiologist at the WHO Country Office in Türkiye.
Since its launch, the project has supported the training of more than 1200 laboratory professionals and health personnel through specialized programmes on surveillance systems, laboratory quality management, genomic surveillance and emergency preparedness. These investments strengthen routine laboratory services while enhancing Türkiye’s capacity to prevent, detect and respond to infectious disease threats.
Through this continued collaboration, the Ministry of Health provides strategic leadership and institutional ownership, WHO contributes global technical expertise and evidence-based guidance and the European Union enables sustained investment in capacity development. Together, this partnership is helping to build a stronger, more coordinated and more resilient public health system for communities across Türkiye.