- Advertisement -
PESHAWAR, Jan 16 (APP):The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has approved permanent funding for the Khyber Medical University Public Health Reference Laboratory (KMU-PHRL), marking a significant milestone in public health.
Since its inception, PHRL has successfully completed over 1.9 million COVID-19 PCR tests, playing a crucial role in disease diagnosis and surveillance in the province.
A press release issued here said that established in 2015 through a collaboration between the KP Department of Health, National Institute of Health Islamabad, World Health Organization (WHO), and Khyber Medical University (KMU), PHRL has been at the forefront of combating public health challenges.
KMU Vice Chancellor, Professor Dr Zia Ul Haq, expressed gratitude to KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, health and finance advisors, the Chief Secretary, Health Secretary, and Director General of Health Services for their support in securing the funding.
He also acknowledged the dedication of PHRL staff, who worked without salaries for five months, and expressed hope that the funding approval would boost their morale and professionalism.
Dr. Zia emphasized the laboratory’s vital role in detecting and preventing infectious diseases such as coronavirus, dengue, cholera, and Mpox. “Public health laboratories are the backbone of the healthcare system, providing evidence-based interventions and emergency preparedness,” he noted.
He said the funding would secure the employment of skilled staff, support long-term disease surveillance, and enhance emergency response capabilities. It will also aid Pakistan in fulfilling its commitments under International Health Regulations.