Building on Phase I, the project continue its efforts to improve bacteriology diagnostics to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR) through the provision of External Quality Assessments (EQAs) and technical support to National Reference Laboratories and Centers of Excellence in low and middle-income countries across Asia.

Under a One Health (OH) remit, EQAsia provides a free of charge EQAs scheme covering WHO GLASS and FAO priority pathogens with tailored online and on-site training targeting quality management systems (QMS) and laboratory diagnostics.

The project is also piloting an initiative to establish and support national EQA provision in Bangladesh and Nepal.

To date the project covers 14 countries in South Asia and Southeast Asia. The project provides support to 50 laboratories and will be expending this number within the next two years.

The project publishes EQA summary reports post each EQA trial.