The Provincial Public Health Laboratory in Lumbini Province, constructed under the Global Fund grant, was formally handed over to the Lumbini provincial government on Monday.

The Province Public Health Laboratory constructed in Butwal, Rupandehi at a cost of over Rs 870 million was jointly handed over to Lumbini Chief Minister Dilli Bahadur Chaudhary by Senior Portfolio Manager of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria Stefan Stojanovik and Country Director of Save the Children–Nepal Heather Campbell, who also leads the Bhutan Country Office.

As per a statement issued by Save the Children following the handing over ceremony, the newly constructed laboratory is equipped to provide a diverse range of laboratory services, from advanced microbiological and immunological tests to specialized pathological and molecular analyses for infectious diseases, including Covid-19 and TB.

Chief Minister Chaudhary, during the event, expressed commitment of the Lumbini Province government to allocate funds to ensure the sustainability of quality lab services.

“It is now our collective duty, including provincial and local governments, not only to maintain the quality and credibility of the laboratory services, but also to develop it into a resource centre that can cater to the healthcare needs across the province and beyond,” Chaurdahry said.

Campbell, during the event, reaffirmed the organsation’s support and commitment to reduce inequality in health services through accessible, quality and timely health services for the communities that we serve, and work with and for.

Stefan Stojanovik of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis, and Malaria, said that the facility will play a pivotal role as another cornerstone of the healthcare system in Nepal.

“We eagerly look forward to collaborating with the central, provincial, and district health authorities of Nepal to advance healthcare initiatives,” said Stojanovik.

The PPHL aims to bolster the healthcare infrastructure and ensure timely and accurate diagnosis and treatment of various ailments, reads the statement.