Nepal to become self-reliant in laboratory testing, says Health Minister

Kathmandu, May 8: A high-tech lab unit has been established at the National Public Health Laboratory. The new lab unit is expected to help secured sample testing during the spread of infectious diseases and epidemics.     

Inaugurating the unit, Minister for Health and Population Pradeep Poudel said that the ministry has been working on strengthening the laboratory on a priority basis, with the goal of making Nepal self-reliant in laboratory testing.     

The Unit, a first of its kind in Nepal, was completed at a cost of about Rs 40 million, said Dr. Ranjan Bhatta, Director of the laboratory.     

On the occasion of the lab unit inauguration, the World Health Organization has donated necessary kits for testing 52 priority diseases in Nepal.

Bhatta said that these kits will now be delivered to provincial and district level hospitals for facilitating testing of different diseases and ailments.(RSS)