(+260) 211 269 432 - info@znphi.gov.zm

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National Public Health Laboratory Services (NPHLS)

The National Public Health Laboratory Services (NPHLS) cluster leads the development of a coordinated national public health laboratory system, organized as a network of laboratories. At its core is a dedicated, adequately resourced National Public Health Reference Laboratory (NPHRL) serving as the apex that provides specialized capability for timely, reliable detection, prevention, control, and response to public health threats and events of public health significance.

Alongside dedicated public health laboratories, the system recognizes and strengthens the capabilities of existing clinical, animal health, research, and other sector laboratories leveraging their competencies and comparative advantages in the spirit of One Health.

To enable the national system to function optimally, the cluster advances capacity across people, platforms, and practices. NPHLS achieves this by using the following key functions:

  • Laboratory Testing

    NPHLS ensures timely and accurate laboratory testing through modern diagnostic platforms, quality management tools, and interoperable information systems. These services enable accurate detection and characterization of infectious agents, supporting effective disease management and surveillance. Through these testing capabilities, we uphold our public health responsibility to protect communities, inform policy decisions, and strengthen national health security.

  • Strengthen Laboratory Systems and Networks

    The cluster strengthens laboratory systems and networks to support surveillance, outbreak response,prevention, and control of disease threats. It plays a central role in coordinating emergency response to public health crises through robust laboratory infrastructure, tiered referral linkages, regional collaboration, and multisectoral partnerships with public, private, and academic stakeholders.It also coordinates testing networks nationwide, ensuring timely, accurate diagnostics that feed into the national surveillance system. These efforts enhance early detection, disease monitoring, and overall public health preparedness.

  • Biorepository

    Zambia National Public Health Reference Laboratory (ZNPHRL) operates a secure biorepository that preserves biological specimens vital for disease surveillance, research, and public health programs.This resource supports research, preparedness, and timely response. Our facility ensures specimen integrity through strict protocols, ethical handling, and regulatory compliance. We support national storage, tracking, and access to samples, strengthening laboratory networks and advancing public health science

  • Bio-safety & Bio-security

    The ZNPHRL, in partnership with the Ministry of Health (MoH), leads national biosafety and biosecurity efforts to protect personnel, the public, and the environment. ZNPHRL enforces strict safety policies, provides infrastructure, and supports network laboratories through training and oversight. By setting standards and coordinating stakeholders, ZNPHRL strengthens laboratory safety, national preparedness, and accountability across Zambia.

  • Quality Management Systems (QMS)

    ZNPHRL is implementing a quality management system in line with ISO17025 and is committed to delivering reliable, timely, and high-quality laboratory services that meet both national and international standards.This ensures that laboratory services meet global benchmarks, fostering confidence in diagnostic outputs and strengthening Zambia’s ability to respond to public health threats.We uphold strict ethical practices, maintain client confidentiality, and continuously improve our systems to meet evolving health needs.

OUR PILLARS - National Public Health Laboratory services

Functions and Programs

Core functions of the NPHLS include :

  • Performing public health laboratory functions including specialised laboratory testing for diagnosis and characterisation of priority pathogens, disease agents and conditions of public health importance
  • Maintaining a repository (biobank) of samples, isolates and other relevant materials incidental to events of public health importance;
  • Establishing and coordinating operations of a national multi-sector public health laboratory network
  • Conducting biomedical and other research, thereby generating objective scientific evidence for decision making
  • Coordinating, implementing and overseeing all national public health laboratory activities 
  • Conducting laboratory-based surveillance in order to enhance the surveillance mandate of ZNPHI
  • Facilitating training, mentorship, and other initiatives and programmes in order to build capacity for public health laboratory services at all levels.
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