Work

A national framework for strengthening public health laboratory preparedness and resilience in Jordan: advancing health security, One Health, and early warning capacity

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: National laboratory systems are central to epidemic intelligence, early detection, and implementation of the International Health Regulations. In Jordan, substantial diagnostic capacity exists, but laboratory functions remain distributed across institutions and sectors, with persistent challenges in governance, quality systems, biosafety and biosecurity, workforce capacity, referral arrangements, and data interoperability. In 2023, Jordan undertook a national laboratory mapping using a multi-method approach comprising review of 226 national and international documents, 20 key-informant interviews, and 23 field visits covering 27 laboratories in four governorates. Findings were analyzed thematically using the LABNET framework and reviewed through a national multisector stakeholder validation process. Building on these findings and the subsequent endorsement of Jordan's National One Health Laboratory Strategic Plan 2026-2030, we propose an implementation-oriented framework for strengthening the national laboratory system. The framework is organized around five interdependent pillars: governance, legislation, and strategic direction; a coordinated national laboratory network; quality management, external quality assessment, and accreditation pathways; workforce competency development and retention; and digital transformation with multisector One Health information exchange. Rather than establishing new parallel structures, the framework is intended to connect and strengthen existing capacities while preserving the statutory and technical mandates of participating sectors. A phased roadmap for 2026-2030 translates these pillars into operational priorities and links them to cross-cutting enablers, including sustainable financing, biosafety and biosecurity, cybersecurity, equity, emergency preparedness, and monitoring, evaluation, and learning. The framework is prospective and has not yet been evaluated as an integrated intervention. Its value will therefore depend on implementation fidelity and prospective assessment against defined baselines. If effectively operationalized, it could strengthen referral performance, diagnostic reliability, reporting timeliness, multisector risk assessment, and the use of laboratory intelligence for early warning and coordinated response. Although developed for Jordan, the framework offers a context-adaptable model for countries seeking to strengthen laboratory resilience through phased, multisectoral, and One Health-oriented reform.

Source: Frontiers in Public Health

DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2026.1962613