In 2022, the Laboratoire national de santé (LNS) consolidated its status as a key player in the Luxembourg health system. In our 100% digital 2022 annual report, a collection of success stories illustrates LNS’s main achievements in terms of diagnostics, public health initiatives, innovative research projects and technological and organisational advances.

A decade as a public institution

The year 2022 marked an important milestone for LNS as we celebrated the 10^th anniversary of our status as a public institution. Indeed, the law of 7 August 2012 saw LNS become a multidisciplinary institute under the supervision of the Ministry of Health.

Today, LNS comprises four scientific departments specialising in medical biology, microbiology, forensic medicine and health protection. In addition, the ultra-modern facilities at Dudelange have been home to the National Center of Pathology and the National Center of Genetics for the past five years.

21 success stories: demonstrating our commitment to the well-being of Luxembourgers

Over the past year, LNS has relentlessly pursued its quest for excellence in healthcare by expanding its range of analyses, supporting public health initiatives and contributing to innovative research projects. Here are some of the highlights of 2022:

• LNS now screens for five diseases as part of the national newborn screening programme: phenylketonuria, congenital hypothyroidism, congenital adrenal hyperplasia, MCAD deficiency, and cystic fibrosis.
• LNS has become one of Europe’s leading public health microbiology centres and is involved in research projects to prepare the country for future pandemics.
• The umedo service, dedicated to adult victims of physical and/or sexual violence, was the focus of a major awareness campaign launched in June.
• In November, the gynaecological cytology service became one of the first laboratories in the world to go 100% digital.
• Finally, Luxembourg launched the National Environmental Medicine Service on 17 November 2022, following a strategy developed by LNS and the Centre Hospitalier Emile Mayrisch (CHEM).

 Six videos illustrating our impact on society

The key figures for 2022, presented in six informative videos, demonstrate the scale of LNS’s achievements:

• 1,895 genetic consultations
• 38,746 analyses carried out as part of the national newborn screening programme
• 35,440 COVID-19 viral genome sequencing analyses
• 303,283 histological tissue analyses
• 55,493 analyses of indoor pollution
• 1,809 cannabis samples analysed

The six videos in the LNS Annual Report 2022 feature scientists from the departments, who share their findings and the impact of their work on the Luxembourg health landscape. These videos offer an exclusive opportunity to witness the passion and dedication that drives LNS staff.

A relationship of trust with our staff and partners

“All these achievements have been made possible thanks to the unwavering commitment of our team of physicians, scientists, technicians and support staff: nearly 400 employees at the service of the people of Luxembourg,” said Prof. André Rosenthal, LNS Director ad interim. Dr Thomas Dentzer, Chief Operating Officer, added: “We would like to express our sincere gratitude to our partners for their trust and ongoing support.” LNS has many partners in Luxembourg and abroad, including the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Justice, hospitals, laboratories, doctors and patients. Some of them have shared their stories with us in this 2022 annual report, highlighting the essential role played by LNS over the past year.

We invite you to discover the LNS 2022 annual report at the following address: https://annual-report.lns.lu/2022/

[Press release sent on July 13 2023]