Bagmati Province Launches State-of-the-Art Public Health Laboratory in Bhaktapur

Bhaktapur. The Bagmati Province government has launched a state-of-the-art Provincial Public Health Laboratory (Lab) in Suryavinayak, Bhaktapur. Although preparations were underway to operate this laboratory in Dhulikhel, Kavre, since 2075 BS, it had been stalled due to a lack of land. The laboratory has finally been operationalized after being relocated to Sipaadol, Suryavinayak Municipality-8.

Kiran Thapa Magar, the Health Minister of Bagmati Province, inaugurated the laboratory on Monday by getting his own blood tested. The Ganesh Secondary School building in Sipaadol is currently housing the operational lab, and the process for constructing its own modern building at a cost of 11 crore rupees in the same area has also been initiated. Minister Thapa informed that 5 ropanis of land for the laboratory has been acquired as per the cabinet decision, and the construction of the new building will be completed within one year.

This laboratory will facilitate the testing of blood collected from government and private hospitals and clinics at a very low rate. According to the laboratory director, Narayan Bahadur Karki, 96 types of samples, including tests for cancer, kidney, liver, pancreas, and lipid profile, can be examined here. Many complex tests that previously had to be sent abroad will now be possible here.

The laboratory has ensured convenience for patients by extensively utilizing technology. Patients will no longer need to repeatedly visit the laboratory to collect reports; a system has been implemented to send reports directly to mobile phones via QR code. Furthermore, virus testing for Influenza, HIV, Tuberculosis (TB), HPV, and Covid, among others, will be conducted using PCR technology.

Due to the inability to secure land in Dhulikhel, state-of-the-art equipment worth approximately 30 crore rupees had been lying unused for a long time. With equipment available but no location, staff were rendered idle. Therefore, the operation of the lab in Bhaktapur is being considered a major achievement. Medical Lab Technologist Anil Kumar Yadav stated that this laboratory will also oversee the monitoring, licensing, and renewal of approximately 1,200 labs across all 13 districts of Bagmati Province.