The Practical manual on tuberculosis laboratory strengthening, 2022 update is an update of the Global Laboratory Initiative (GLI) publication, GLI Practical guide to TB laboratory strengthening.
This handbook offers practical guidance for providing technical assistance on the implementation of WHO recommendations and international best practices for TB laboratory services. It is not intended to be a comprehensive manual or to repeat information provided by other guidance documents; hence, it contains references and links to original resources. In particular, the reader is referred to the WHO consolidated guidelines on TB for the most recent policies and to the WHO operational handbooks on TB (especially Module 3) for guidance on implementing the policies.1 An important function of the GLI is harmonization of technical assistance provided to TB laboratories by its many partners. Thus, the intended audience for this handbook includes implementing partners and providers of technical assistance, who may also use it as a reference for available resources and tools; the final chapter includes guidance specific for consultants before, during and after a mission. Others who may find the handbook useful are TB laboratory managers and technicians, programme managers and other officials from ministries of health, and their partners.
