A high-level meeting was convened to enhance the capacity and operational effectiveness of the polio diagnostic laboratory

The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including the Director of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication, Dr. Abdul Quddus Baryali; representatives from the World Health Organization (WHO); and officials from the central and polio reference laboratories.
Discussions centered on strengthening Afghanistan’s polio laboratory, advancing technical capacity, and addressing critical operational challenges. Participants also deliberated on workforce training, progress in laboratory functions, existing constraints, and strategic solutions to optimize diagnostic efficiency.
The Director of the National Emergency Operations Center for Polio Eradication underscored the imperative of fully operationalizing the polio laboratory, emphasizing its pivotal role in the timely detection, surveillance, and containment of poliovirus transmission.