A foundation Stone of a reference laboratory in Nangarhar Province inaugurated
The Ministry of Public Health has formally inaugurated the foundation stone for a cutting-edge reference laboratory in Nangarhar province, representing a substantial investment of 21 million Afghanis.
The ceremony was attended by an esteemed gathering of officials, including Mawlawi Abdulwali Haqaniq, the deputy minister for Health Services; Mawlawi Aminullah Sharif, the Director of Public Health for Nangarhar; representatives from the World Health Organization and various organizations involved in health service delivery; as well as Mawlawi Saeed Ahmad Benoori, the Deputy Governor of Nangarhar, along with other prominent figures from regional institutions.
Mawlawi Abdulwali Haqqani underscored the significance of this laboratory, describing it as a landmark achievement for the residents of Nangarhar, particularly for those in the eastern region. He remarked, "This facility is the sixth major laboratory established nationwide, and, equipped with 24 specialized departments, it will leverage state-of-the-art laboratory technologies to provide comprehensive diagnostic services across a wide array of medical fields."
Furthermore, the deputy minister elucidated that the primary objectives of this center are to ensure timely diagnoses for patients from Nangarhar, Kunar, Laghman, and Nuristan provinces, to bolster the capacity of the healthcare system, and to reduce reliance on foreign entities for the diagnosis of various health conditions.
It is important to note that this center is being developed with financial backing from the Global Fund, in collaboration with technical support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The initiative is being executed under the auspices of the Directorate of Diagnostic Services and Coordination of Aid and Health Sector Strengthening within the Ministry of Public Health. The construction is expected to be completed by the end of the current calendar year, at which point it will be operationalized to effectively enhance healthcare delivery and improve health outcomes in the region.
