Laboratories are an essential and fundamental part of all health systems and their goal to improve health. Reliable and timely laboratory-investigation results are fundamental elements in decision-making in almost all aspects of health services and so directly affect the health and well-being of individuals and countries. Reliable and timely laboratory services are also crucial to a nation’s health security and economy and its ability to meet obligations such as the International Health Regulations. Approximately 60–70% of medical decisions are based on laboratory results. The ongoing outbreak of Ebola virus disease in west Africa has highlighted not only the crucial role of a strong health system in responding to public health emergencies but also the immense cost of ignoring this need. Within such a strong health system, effective high-quality (accredited) laboratories and response networks must be on the front line/