Lebanon Commences Renovation of National Health Laboratory with European and Norwegian Support

Beirut: The Ministry of Public Health, in partnership with the World Health Organization (WHO), has launched the renovation of the National Central Public Health Laboratory for Emerging and Re-emerging Infectious Diseases, supported by a EUR 10 million grant from the European Investment Bank (EIB) under the Economic Resilience Initiative and additional support from the Norwegian Embassy. This initiative aims to restore Lebanon's public health infrastructure and enhance national capacities for disease surveillance, early detection, and emergency preparedness amidst ongoing economic and social challenges. According to National News Agency - Lebanon, the Minister of Public Health, Dr. Rakan Nasser El-Deen, emphasized the strategic significance of the Central Public Health Laboratory, highlighting its role in restoring the nation's ability to detect and respond to health threats, thus protecting communities and reinforcing public confidence in the health system. The Central Public Health Laboratory (CPHL), a co re capacity under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005), is set to serve as Lebanon's national reference laboratory. It will support timely confirmation of priority infectious diseases, outbreak investigations, and evidence-based public health decision-making across the country. The renovated facility will span a total area of approximately 3,000 square meters and is expected to conduct 4,000-4,500 diagnostic tests annually, thereby reinforcing national surveillance systems and strengthening coordination across the public health laboratory network. The investment aligns with lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic, emphasizing the importance of functional national laboratories in pandemic preparedness, health system resilience, and public trust. The European Investment Bank and the Norwegian Embassy's financial contributions are essential to Lebanon's recovery and long-term health system strengthening, ensuring that critical public institutions remain functional and sustainable despite prolonged crises. Beyond physical rehabilitation, the project aims to strengthen Lebanon's public health laboratory system through biosafety-compliant design and infrastructure upgrades, procurement and installation of specialized equipment, workforce capacity building, and integration of the Central Public Health Laboratory within the national laboratory network. Strong governance and oversight mechanisms are established under the leadership of the Ministry of Public Health, with WHO's technical supervision to ensure transparency, accountability, and international standards alignment throughout implementation. Ulrich Brunnhuber, EIB Head of the Middle East and North Africa Public Sector Division, stated, "The inauguration of the Central Public Health Laboratory marks an important milestone in strengthening Lebanon's public health capacities. The European Investment Bank is proud to support this initiative alongside WHO and our Team Europe partners. By reinforcing essential laboratory services and disease surveillanc e, we are collectively investing in stronger, more resilient health systems that can better protect all communities across the country." A representative from the Norwegian embassy highlighted the importance of sustained international partnerships in strengthening public institutions and safeguarding population health. The WHO Representative also emphasized that the revitalization of the Central Public Health Laboratory is an investment in resilience, demonstrating how sustainable impact can be achieved even in challenging contexts. As Lebanon continues to navigate compounded crises, the Central Public Health Laboratory represents a critical investment in national health security, institutional resilience, and preparedness for future pandemics and emergencies. The project reflects a shared commitment by national authorities and international partners to protect public health and strengthen essential state functions for the long term.