An invisible shield: how WHO, the Asia-Europe Foundation and the Government of Japan are strengthening Ukraine’s laboratory preparedness

18 May 2026

Laboratories have remained among the most critical components of Ukraine’s health system since the start of the war. Every day, specialists detect dangerous pathogens, confirm infectious disease outbreaks and help the health system to respond in time. With support from the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) and the Government of Japan, WHO is strengthening Ukraine’s laboratory network through the provision of reagents, equipment and staff training.

In 2025, the Reference Laboratory of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine received WHO accreditation – an important international recognition of the quality and reliability of its work. Laboratories across the country also received diagnostic reagents worth 4.7 million hryvnias, helping to ensure uninterrupted monitoring of dangerous infections throughout Ukraine.

Specialists emphasize that laboratory diagnostics often remain invisible to most people, but play a vital role in preventing outbreaks and protecting public health.

WHO

Specialists at the Public Health Center’s Reference Laboratory conduct diagnostic testing for infectious diseases, including poliomyelitis, measles, rubella and influenza.

WHO

Modern laboratory equipment and high-quality reagents help to ensure rapid and accurate detection of dangerous pathogens, even during wartime.

WHO

The Public Health Center laboratory conducts testing for emerging viral diseases, including West Nile virus, dengue, chikungunya and hantavirus infection.

WHO

With support from WHO, ASEF and the Government of Japan, Ukrainian laboratories received reagents to ensure uninterrupted work across all regions of the country.

WHO

In October 2025, the Public Health Center’s Reference Laboratory received WHO accreditation – international recognition of the high quality of its laboratory testing.

WHO

“How quickly and accurately we test, how skilled our staff are and what equipment we use – all directly affect people’s health,”

^{says Iryna Demchyshyna, Head of the Reference Laboratory for HIV/AIDS, viral and especially dangerous pathogens at the Public Health Center.}

WHO

With support from WHO, Ukrainian laboratories can identify circulating local and imported pathogens, which helps to prevent and contain outbreaks and epidemics.

WHO

Laboratory diagnostics remain the country’s invisible shield – unseen by most people, yet essential for protecting everyone’s health.

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