Global Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory Equipment Management and Sustainability and Implications for Pandemic Preparedness Priorities1

Abstract

Substantial investments into laboratories, notably sophisticated equipment, have been made over time to detect emerging diseases close to their source. Diagnostic capacity has expanded as a result, but challenges have emerged. The Equipment Management and Sustainability Survey was sent to the Veterinary Services of 182 countries in mid-2019. We measured the status of forty types of laboratory equipment used in veterinary diagnostic laboratories. Of the 68,455 items reported from 227 laboratories in 136 countries, 22% (14,894/68,455) were improperly maintained, and 46% (29,957/65,490) were improperly calibrated. Notable differences were observed across World Bank income levels and regions, raising concerns about equipment reliability and the results they produce. Our results will advise partners and donors on how best to support low-resource veterinary laboratories to improve sustainability and fulfill their mandate toward pandemic prevention and preparedness, as well as encourage equipment manufacturers to spur innovation and develop more sustainable products that meet end-users' needs.

Keywords: One Health; biosafety and biosecurity; bioterrorism and preparedness; budget and policy; equipment maintenance and calibration; global veterinary diagnostic laboratory equipment management and sustainability; implications for pandemic preparedness; investment; laboratory; management; pandemic preparedness; priorities; quality control; surge capacity; sustainability; veterinary; zoonoses.

Figure 1

Reported laboratory equipment and proportion not properly calibrated or maintained, by World Organisation for Animal Health region, for Equipment Management and Sustainability Survey conducted by World Organisation for Animal Health, 2019.

Figure 2

Reported laboratory equipment and proportion not properly calibrated or maintained, by World Bank income level, for Equipment Management and Sustainability Survey conducted by World Organisation for Animal Health, 2019.

Figure 3

Reported availability of in-house and local service providers for laboratory equipment, by World Organisation for Animal Health region, for Equipment Management and Sustainability Survey conducted by World Organisation for Animal Health, 2019.

Figure 4

Reported availability of in-house and local service providers for laboratory equipment, by World Bank income level, for Equipment Management and Sustainability Survey conducted by World Organisation for Animal Health, 2019.

Figure 5

Reported estimated proportion of donated equipment and proportion not properly maintained or calibrated, by World Bank income level, for Equipment Management and Sustainability Survey conducted by World Organisation for Animal Health, 2019.

Figure 6

Reported estimated proportion of donated equipment and proportion not properly maintained or calibrated equipment, by World Organisation for Animal Health region, for Equipment Management and Sustainability Survey conducted by World Organisation for Animal Health, 2019.