ABSTRACT
Medical laboratories in China have gained advances to some extent in recent years, and played an important role in prevention and control of COVID-19 epidemic. This paper analyzed their opportunities and challenges in the new era by means of SWOT analysis. Recommendations made by the authors are that medical laboratories should integrate into the national prevention and control system against major infectious diseases, to safeguard biosecurity and public health safety. Meanwhile, medical laboratories should enhance their high-end testing ability, seize the opportunity of DRG payment reform, and carry out various forms of cooperation with public hospitals of all levels, and play a more important role in county-wide medical system development.