Event highlights
Nearly 50 laboratory professionals from 16 provinces across Türkiye gathered in Erzurum from 17–19 June for a 3-day Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever (CCHF) Laboratory Diagnosis Training, strengthening technical capacities for the laboratory diagnosis of one of the country’s priority infectious diseases and reinforcing collaboration across the national laboratory network.
The training was organized within the framework of the project “Strengthening national capacities against COVID-19 and other public health emergencies”, implemented by the Department of Microbiology Reference Laboratories and Biological Products of the General Directorate of Public Health under the Ministry of Health of Türkiye, with the support of the WHO Country Office in Türkiye and financing from the European Union Delegation to Türkiye.
The programme combined technical presentations, interactive discussions and peer-to-peer knowledge exchange with practical observations in a laboratory setting. Throughout the 3-day training, participants reviewed current approaches to CCHF laboratory diagnosis, diagnostic algorithms, quality assurance practices, biosafety principles and laboratory coordination. On the final day, they visited the Erzurum Public Health Laboratory, where they observed laboratory workflows and diagnostic processes and exchanged experiences with expert trainers and colleagues.
Opening the training, Professor Dr E. Füsun Karaşahin, Head of the Erzurum Provincial Health Directorate, welcomed participants and highlighted the importance of continued collaboration in strengthening preparedness for emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases.
“Crimean-Congo Haemorrhagic Fever continues to be an important public health disease for Türkiye. Such trainings that bring together laboratory professionals from different provinces provide an important platform for exchanging knowledge, strengthening professional networks and promoting a coordinated laboratory response. We are pleased to host this programme in Erzurum and contribute to strengthening laboratory capacity across the country,” Professor Dr Karaşahin said.
Associate Professor Yasemin Coşgun, Head of the Department of Microbiology Reference Laboratories and Biological Products, emphasized that the training contributes to the project’s broader objective of building resilient laboratory systems.
“A strong laboratory network relies on harmonized diagnostic practices, continuous professional development and close collaboration among laboratories. Through this project, we are strengthening laboratory capacity by investing in our workforce, supporting knowledge exchange and reinforcing standardized approaches to laboratory diagnosis. These efforts are particularly important for sustaining resilient laboratory services in provinces recovering from the earthquakes,” Associate Professor Coşgun said.
Representing the WHO Country Office in Türkiye, Dr Gültekin Ünal, Technical Officer for Laboratories, highlighted the importance of investing in laboratory systems as part of broader health emergency preparedness.
“Strong laboratory systems are a cornerstone of health emergency preparedness and response. By supporting technical training and collaboration among laboratory professionals, this project helps ensure that laboratory networks remain resilient, responsive and capable of detecting and responding to public health threats. Investing in laboratory capacity today strengthens preparedness for tomorrow’s emergencies,” Dr Ünal said.
CCHF is an endemic tick-borne viral disease of public health importance in Türkiye. Timely and accurate laboratory diagnosis plays a critical role in patient management, surveillance and public health decision-making. Developing skills and maintaining a well-trained laboratory workforce and strong collaboration across the laboratory network is essential for ensuring high-quality diagnostic services and effective preparedness for future health emergencies.
Since 2021, the project has supported Türkiye's efforts to strengthen preparedness, detection and response capacities for public health threats, with a particular focus on provinces affected by the February 2023 earthquakes. By strengthening laboratory systems and investing in the technical competencies of the public health workforce, the project contributes to a rapid and coordinated laboratory response during public health emergencies.
The CCHF Laboratory Diagnosis Training forms a part of these efforts, bringing together laboratory professionals from across Türkiye to exchange technical expertise, promote harmonized diagnostic practices and strengthen collaboration across the national laboratory network.
The training was conducted with contributions from the Directorate of Public Health Reference Laboratories, Directorate of Zoonotic and Vector-Borne Diseases, Erzurum Provincial Health Directorate and participating academics, whose technical expertise supported the planning and delivery of the programme.