Regional workshop for strengthening capacity and internal quality assurance for the SEAR Measles and Rubella Laboratory Network. Thimphu, Bhutan, 15-20 August 2016.

Abstract

In order to achieve the goal of measles elimination and rubella control by 2020,case-based measles surveillance activities in all countries of South-East AsiaRegion, World Health Organization, have gained momentum resulting inincreasing workload and expectations from Measles and Rubella laboratorynetwork (‎MR LabNet)‎. Maintenance of highest standards in lab reporting is thebackbone of lab supported surveillance for measles elimination.The workshop at Thimphu, Bhutan during 15–20 August 2016, dwelt onthe concepts of quality assurance to enhance capacity of laboratory network.The workshop was an opportunity to establish close collaboration withsurveillance team and assess the programmatic need to generate resources forlab supported surveillance. This workshop was a step forward to develop asystem for internal quality assurance and support the verification towardsprogress in measles elimination in SEAR.