The Laboratories and Health Technology area supports Member states in attaining improved health and reduced morbidity and mortality through the safety, availability and appropriate use of essential health technologies within health systems

The International Health Regulations (IHR) are an international legal biding instrument for 194 countries across the globe, including all the Member States of WHO. The IHR, which entered into force on 15 June 2007, require countries to report certain disease outbreaks and public health events to WHO.

Their aim is to help the international community prevent and respond to acute public health risks that have the potential to cross borders and threaten people worldwide.