New block of State Public Health & Clinical Laboratory inaugurated
The new block of the State Public Health and Clinical Laboratory was inaugurated by Health Minister Veena George at a public meeting held at the Public Health Laboratory compound in Thiruvananthapuram. Adv. V.K. Prashanth MLA presided over the function. Additional Chief Secretary Dr. Rajan N. Khobragade IAS delivered the keynote address.
On the occasion, the Kerala Health System Improvement Programme (KHSIP) was also launched. A training programme for health workers in collaboration with the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) was inaugurated, and the logo of the State Allied Health Care Council was released.
The new Public Health Laboratory building has been constructed at a cost of ₹5 crore. The three-storey building has a total area of 6,000 square feet. The State Public Health Laboratory conducts several important tests related to public health programmes, including vector-borne disease control, hepatitis control, and rabies control.
These activities were earlier carried out in old buildings that have been in use since 1937. The new building will help improve laboratory facilities and strengthen public health services.
Special Secretary Sheeba George IAS, Director of Health Services Dr. K.J. Reena, Director of Medical Education Dr. Viswanathan, Director of the State Public Health & Clinical Laboratory Dr. S. Sunija, District Medical Officer Dr. Bindu Mohan, Additional Directors Dr. V. Meenakshi and Dr. Reetha K.P., and Arogya Keralam District Programme Manager Dr. Anoj S. also spoke at the function.
