To help ensure that laboratories can effectively play a critical role in the prevention, detection, and control of diseases, current and emerging laboratory leaders worldwide need specialized training in leadership and management.
Leading organizations partnered to develop the Global Laboratory Leadership Programme (GLLP) targeting human and animal health laboratories, as well as laboratories with public health impact (environmental, agricultural, food, or chemical laboratories). The partners are:
The six partners enlisted the expertise of over 140 global experts in human and animal health and laboratory science for the development of the GLLP. The partners are committed to the programme’s vision of laboratory leaders empowering national laboratory systems across the globe using a One Health approach to strengthen health security.
From 8th to 10th November 2022, the GLLP Partners met at the WHO Lyon office, France. The Partners discussed how to assure the integrity and quality of GLLP implementation through the GLLP Learning Package, communities of practice, and solid monitoring and evaluation.
Laboratory Leadership Competency Framework
International experts agree that laboratory leaders need certain core competencies to meet national, regional, and global disease prevention and control objectives. The GLLP encapsulates the following nine
core competencies outlined in the Laboratory Leadership Competency Framework:
GLLP Learning Package
The programme, available for virtual or in-person implementation, is flexible in length, format, and content and may be adapted to meet country-specific workforce needs. The GLLP Learning Package provides the materials necessary to implement programmes in any country or educational institution in the world and includes:
The GLLP course materials include four sections (Introduction, Laboratory Management, Laboratory Leadership, and Laboratory Systems) comprising 13 units and 43 modules, with over 200 contact hours' worth of materials, all with a strong One Health focus.
The GLLP Learning Package is hosted on the WHO Health Security Learning Platform (HSLP). Access to the full set of course materials will initially be restricted, as the GLLP partners continue to refine the Learning Package based on feedback, before releasing for public use. Upon motivated request, access to the modules can be granted to organizations planning to use the GLLP materials for a training/learning activity. For more information, click on the button below.
Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic
Laboratories, and
their capacity to rapidly test and diagnose illness, are essential. Specialized
training for laboratory leaders, such as the Global Laboratory
Leadership Programme, support a country’s ability to respond to future
outbreaks and health emergencies.
The
COVID-19 pandemic has put unprecedented pressure on health
services worldwide, demonstrating how a lack of robust laboratory systems can
drastically impede the detection, diagnosis, and control of diseases. COVID-19
has highlighted the importance of building sustainable national laboratory
systems, run by leaders capable of understanding all system
components and working collaboratively across sectors.
Strong leaders support strong laboratory systems and contribute to health security.
GLLP implementation
GLLP resources