Abstract: Objective This study aims to investigate current national situation of human resources in tuberculosis prevention and control system in order to improve the quality of laboratory work and strengthen the tuberculosis laboratory services. Methods Personnel data of TB laboratories staff was from the 2009 laboratory survey. The composition of professional title, age, major, and time spent on the tuberculosis laboratory work were analyzed respectively.  Results The situation of human resource was extremely uneven. Although the number of laboratory personnel could meet the basic need of current smear microscopy, there is only 1 technician in 60.8% of county level and 41.8% of prefecture level laboratories, and the proportion of full time staff is low. The quality of laboratory staff needs to be strengthened in order to meet more needs in diagnosis services in the future.  Conclusions To meet the higher requirements for future work, the human resource needs to be improved through increasing the quantity of staff and training.

Key words: tuberculosis/prevention and control, laboratories, staff development