USAID handover mobile laboratory to Sindh Health Department

KARACHI: Azra Fazal Pechuho,  Minister for Health and Population Welfare, Sindh, attended a handing-over ceremony with the Mr Mark Stroh, US Consulate General to Pakistan. 

The representatives from NIH, the US Consul General, USAID officials, the focal person of the Public Health lab, and officials from the health department, Zulfiqar Shah,  Secretary, Health, and Prof Dr Muhammad Saeed Qureshi, VC, DOW University, were also in attendance. 

Remote Mobile Laboratory is the first of its kind in Sindh. It has been donated to the Sindh Health Department by USAID with the cooperation of the National Institute of Health, Islamabad. This Mobile Laboratory will be an additional unit of the Provincial Public Health Lab, Sindh, at the Dow University of Health Sciences. 

It will help in the surveillance, early diagnosis, and investigation of Infectious and communicable diseases throughout Sindh, especially in remote areas. In the underserved areas of Sindh, where it is challenging to attain early diagnosis of diseases like; COVID-19, HIV, HBV, HCV, Dengue, Chikungunya and other waterborne and environmental diseases, this mobile lab will provide diagnostic services that would otherwise be inaccessible. 

USAID has supported Sindh in the form of 77 million Covid vaccines, 1.2 million masks, 1 million rapid antigen tests, 200 ventilators, pandemic preparedness, medical equipment, expertise and much more. This mobile lab is part of the ongoing collaboration between the Sindh Government and Mr Mark Stroh, American Government, Consul General stated. 

On occasion, Azra Fazal Pechuho thanked the US Government, USAID, and DOW university for their continued efforts to curb incidents of infection in the province. 

She said that at a time when another is following one disease, it is vital that we have early diagnostic facilities available in the province, especially to facilitate remote regions. 

She added that the lab would be under the care of experts at DOW University so that its full functioning and care can be maintained in perfect condition. 

This 55-feet lab is fully equipped with various mechanisms and facilities that are needed for the early and rapid diagnosis by PCR and other advanced technologies as this lab is not fixed and easy to access throughout the province for surveillance, diagnosis, and prevention of various diseases. 

Early diagnosis is the second best step after prevention. It can prove to be beneficial economically and socially for all parties involved, so this partnership between the National Institute of Health, USAID, Sindh Government and DOW will help advance medical access and facility in Sindh.