Mobile Laboratories Provided by US to Pakistan for Strengthening Covid-19 Testing

The US government has gifted four mobile laboratories to the National Institute of Health (NIH) in order to diagnose COVID-19 and other transmittable diseases, particularly in distant places where access to testing may be limited.

The mobile laboratories were given through the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) and were formally received by the Federal Health Minister Abdul Qadir Patel. The ceremony was held at NIH which was attended by U.S Ambassador to Pakistan Donald Blome, Federal Health Minister, Abdul Qadir Patel along with other officials from the federal Ministry of Health and NIH.The mobile laboratory will improve and facilitate the accuracy of diagnoses, reduce the tome of test results and better protect healthcare workers. The USAID has funded the global health chain supply program and implementing parameter Chemonics International Inc.

On the occasion, Ambassador Blome paid a compliment for the effective strategies and handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighted Pakistan’s successful and effective vaccination campaigns to quickly vaccinate all citizens.  He also commented on the successful outcome of the U.S-Pakistan coordinated effort to strengthen health care systems as part of the 75 years of respective relations between the two nations. The donation showed further support for this partnership between two countries by providing Pakistan with modern tools to further be more vigilant and quickly respond to future threats. “These mobile laboratories will strengthen the diagnostic capacity of the provincial health departments,” Ambassador Blome said. “They will enable the government to respond quickly and effectively in hard-to-reach remote areas during emergencies, or an outbreak and epidemic.”

In his speech, the Minister expressed gratitude for the U.S. government’s support for the improvement in health services in Pakistan which is a reflection of the strong mutual relations between Pakistan and the United States. USAID has been of immense help in saving lives in more than 120 countries during the outbreak of COVID-19 in the early 2020  USAID’s ongoing assistance provides emergency relief, strengthens health systems, supports vaccine readiness and distribution, improves public health education, and protects health care workers and facilities.

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According to the details, the United States has supported Pakistan in healthy crisis by providing nearly 61.6 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, one million COVID-19 rapid diagnostic tests, and critical health supplies and training to health workers.  These efforts are part of the nearly $70 million in direct support and $9.2 million of in-kind support that the U.S. government has donated to assist the Pakistani people.