Uzbekistan’s virology laboratory achieves ISO accreditation, advancing influenza preparedness

On 15 September 2025, the Virology Laboratory of the Committee for Sanitary-Epidemiological Well-being and Public Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan received accreditation against the national standard O'z DSt ISO 15189:2023 from the Uzbek Accreditation Center. Oʻz DSt stands for "Oʻzbekiston Davlat Standarti," meaning Uzbekistan State Standard, and indicates the country's adaptation of ISO standards to align with international requirements while reflecting local context. Oʻz DSt ISO 15189:2023 is Uzbekistan's version of the internationally recognized ISO 15189:2023 standard, which sets global benchmarks for quality and competence in medical laboratories. This accreditation demonstrates that the laboratory meets rigorous international standards, ensuring reliable and timely test results essential for disease surveillance and public health interventions.

The accreditation process was supported by the Pandemic Influenza Preparedness (PIP) Partnership Contribution (PC) through WHO Uzbekistan and WHO Europe's Better Labs for Better Health initiative, which established the mentoring project and guided laboratories in implementing quality management systems.

International experts conducted four on-site visits in 2019-2020 to initiate and strengthen the process. Building on this foundation, a national mentor, embedded in the laboratory with CDC support from 2021-2025, provided continuous guidance to sustain improvements and ensure compliance.

These efforts have significantly strengthened Uzbekistan's capacity for influenza surveillance and pandemic readiness, in line with the Global Influenza Strategy and International Health Regulations (IHR). While Uzbekistan does not have an internationally recognized National Influenza Centre (NIC), the accredited laboratory now performs many of the functions expected of such a center-providing reliable virological diagnostics and contributing to global health security.

"I have been working in the laboratory system of the Republic of Uzbekistan for almost 40 years, and throughout this time, questions have often arisen: Is the laboratory operating properly? Are laboratory tests in the virology lab being conducted correctly? Is the laboratory staff competent enough?

Only after receiving ISO 15189:2023 accreditation can I confidently answer these questions: 'Yes, the laboratory has confirmed its compliance with the quality criteria of ISO 15189:2023.' The laboratory received official confirmation from independent experts of its technical competence and ability to produce accurate, reliable test results."

- Dr Sultan Djemileva, Head, Accredited Virology Laboratory, Committee for sanitary-epidemiological well-being and public health, Republic of Uzbekistan

This accreditation also advances WHO's Health Emergency Preparedness and Response (HEPR) agenda by reinforcing laboratory readiness for emerging infectious disease threats. It is a testament to how sustained PIP PC investment, combined with coordinated international and national support, can deliver long-term improvements in pandemic influenza preparedness at the country level. Looking ahead, Uzbekistan plans to further enhance laboratory quality and surveillance capacity, contributing to regional and global health security.

Photo credit: Abdulatif Abdiakhatov
Photo caption: Lab technicians performing virological tests at the Virology Laboratory of the Committee for sanitary-epidemiological well-being and public health of the Republic of Uzbekistan