Emerging infectious diseases laboratory inaugurated at Dow University

KARACHI: A state-of-the-art Emerging Infectious Diseases Research Laboratory (EIDRL) was inaugurated at Dow University of Health Sciences on Monday, marking what officials described as a significant milestone in Sindh’s public health preparedness.
The facility was formally opened by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho at a ceremony attended by senior government officials and university leadership. The laboratory has been established at a total cost of Rs1 billion, with the Sindh government contributing Rs800 million towards its development. The provincial government will also bear the recurring annual operational cost, estimated at approximately Rs300 million.
Speaking at the inauguration, Dr Pechuho said the initiative represented a historic step towards strengthening Pakistan’s public health infrastructure. “The Sindh government has demonstrated leadership at the national level by laying the foundation for advanced research and equipping the province to effectively respond to future epidemics and health emergencies,” she said.
The health minister noted that despite Sindh’s comparative progress in the health sector, the province’s efforts and financial commitments were often not adequately acknowledged. She reiterated that the government would continue to invest in critical health infrastructure to ensure long-term resilience.
The laboratory has been established at the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital and Research Centre, a specialised public sector institution dedicated to the diagnosis, treatment, management and research of infectious diseases. The facility, located in the NIPA Chowrangi, is expected to significantly enhance the province’s capacity for early detection, research and containment of rapidly spreading infections.
Among those present at the ceremony were Health Secretary Tahir Sanghi, Universities and Boards Secretary Abbas Baloch, DUHS Vice Chancellor Prof Nazli Hossain, Pro-Vice Chancellors Prof Jehan Ara Hasan and Prof Sajida Qureshi, Registrar Dr Ashar Afaq, Dr Wahid Rajput, Prof Saba Sohail and Prof Uzma Bukhari, along with other faculty members and health professionals.
In a briefing to the minister, officials said the new laboratory would enable timely and accurate diagnosis of high-risk and emerging pathogens in a secure environment. It is expected to improve the detection and management of diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, influenza, HIV, Crimean-Congo haemorrhagic fever (CCHF), drug-resistant typhoid and tuberculosis.
Officials said the availability of advanced local testing facilities would reduce reliance on out-of-province or international laboratories, lowering costs and shortening turnaround times. The laboratory will also provide specialised biosafety training to medical and laboratory staff.
According to the briefing, Sindh previously lacked a provincial reference laboratory at the required biosafety level, including animal biosafety level-3 capacity, capable of handling high-risk pathogens. The newly established facility will have limited but crucial capacity for research on high-risk agents, including genomic sequencing during outbreaks and support for vaccine-related research tailored to local needs.
Vice Chancellor Prof Nazli Hossain said the Sindh Infectious Diseases Hospital was already providing free treatment services not only to patients from across Sindh but also to those from other provinces. All services at the facility are funded by the Sindh government.
Health experts at the event emphasised that timely and accurate diagnosis would enable early treatment, reduce complications and help curb the spread of infections within hospitals and communities. The laboratory is also expected to support the development of improved diagnostic tools, innovative treatment protocols and research into vaccines suited to local epidemiological patterns.
Assistant Professor of Virology Dr Bilal Ahmed Khan, Prof Nausheen Fatima of Nuclear Medicine, Prof Maryam Nauman of Oncology and Dr Muneeba Sheikh also addressed the ceremony, highlighting the importance of sustained investment in infectious disease research.