- carries out microbiological examinations of the causes of infectious diseases, their identification and gives a specialist-consultative opinion;
- monitors antimicrobial susceptibility and the most common antimicrobial resistance of invasive bacterial strains throughout the country through the CAESAR network
- carries out microbiological monitoring of infectious diseases in the interest of public health of the population in R. N. Macedonia in accordance with the Law on the Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases and other legal regulations;
- participates in microbiological investigation of epidemics/pandemics of microbial agents by identifying sources of infection, germ carriers and routes of transmission; performs molecular diagnostics of infectious agents (molecular microbiology), detection of genes for resistance in microorganisms with resistance to one or more groups of antibiotics; performs seroprevalence studies in the population for specific infectious diseases;
- serves as a national laboratory for the diagnosis and monitoring of influenza, HIV, measles, rubella, arbovirus infections (West Nile virus, Zika and others), hemorrhagic fever viruses (Hantaan virus and others) and other diseases of public health importance , and in accordance with the International Health Regulations (2005) and the needs of R. N. Macedonia.
- provides expert-methodological assistance to the Ministry of Health in the field of microbiology.
- carries out typification of the causative agents;
- performs medical entomological examinations and vector mapping for endemic vector-borne diseases in RN. Macedonia
- performs laboratory control of the measures taken (sterilization, immunization);
- performs mandatory microbiological diagnosis, health and other examinations provided for by the Law on the Protection of the Population from Infectious Diseases and other legal regulations;
- performs microbiological examinations of water, food products, food, premises and equipment for production, processing and distribution of food products with evaluation of the microbiological correctness according to the food regulations;
- performs microbiological control in healthcare organizations (operating rooms, resuscitation rooms, etc. rooms, instruments, materials, etc.);
- coordinates the work and provides expert-methodological assistance to the Centers for Public Health in the field of microbiology;
- builds and implements professional-medical doctrinal criteria in the field of microbiology;
- through cooperation with educational institutions in R. N. Macedonia participates in the educational activity and conducts professional development of health workers and collaborators in the field of microbiology;
- participates in the execution of scientific research projects in the field of microbiology.
- participates in the educational activity and conducts professional development of health workers and collaborators in the field of microbiology;
- participates in the execution of scientific research projects in the field of microbiology;
- performs laboratory tests of drinking water, surface and waste water in the study research works, monitors the pollution of interstate waters and watercourses, performs current sanitary supervision over drinking water;
- bacterial endotoxin test (LAL test) according to the European Pharmacopoeia (Ph. Eur 2.6.14) for testing parenteral drugs, irrigation preparations, hemodialysis water, hemodialysis solutions
- expert assessment of documentation for quality control and assessment of packaging of an imported batch of biological medicine / vaccine;
- performs testing of sterility and microbiological purity of raw materials for drugs and finished drugs, herbal medicinal products and extracts;
- performs testing of raw materials for drugs and finished drugs in terms of microbiological purity and sterility in accordance with the requirements of the European pharmacopoeia,
- performs testing of cosmetic preparations in terms of microbiological quality,
- tests antimicrobial efficacy of disinfectants,
- collaborates with international reference laboratories in the field of microbiology, and participates in international networks for monitoring and diagnostics of microbiological agents of interest to public health.
- It has successful cooperation with international health authorities such as WHO, ECDC and others
- The Department of Microbiology will continuously strive to monitor and introduce new microbiological methods according to the latest advances in the field of microbiology, based on evidence-based medicine.