Partnerships & Collaboration

ESPEN Reference Laboratory Hub - 2030 Vision 

The ESPEN Reference Laboratory operates through strong partnerships that enhance regional coordination and technical excellence in neglected tropical disease control and elimination. Collaboration with national NTD programmes lies at the heart of its work, ensuring that diagnostic support and training directly respond to country needs. The laboratory works closely with WHO Country Offices to align activities with national plans and facilitate sample transport, reporting, and feedback. 

Regional and global partnerships with institutions such as the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), The END Fund, Sightsavers, universities, and research organizations strengthen the laboratory’s technical base and expand its impact. These collaborations support joint initiatives in laboratory quality management, external quality assessment, and the validation of new diagnostic tools.

By fostering a network of laboratories and experts across Africa, the ESPEN Reference Laboratory contributes to harmonized diagnostic standards, technology transfer, and sustainable capacity building. Its collaborative model ensures that advances in diagnostics and quality systems translate into tangible progress toward the elimination of NTDs in the African Region.