Guwahati: Minister Ashok Singhal Inaugurates State-of-the-Art Herbal Testing Lab

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: In a landmark development for Assam’s healthcare system, Health Minister Ashok Singhal on Friday inaugurated the newly constructed State Herbal Testing Laboratory at the Assam Ayurvedic College campus in Jalukbari. This advanced facility, built under the Department of Health and Family Welfare and operated by the Food Safety and Drug Administration, is expected to significantly enhance drug quality monitoring and public health safety in the region.

The laboratory, constructed at a cost of Rs 22 crore, features a robust RCC structure comprising a ground floor and two upper floors. The ground floor includes a reception area, dedicated sample storage rooms, and security accommodations. The first floor is designed for administrative use and houses conference facilities, while the second floor contains a modern laboratory fitted with high-tech testing equipment.

With the capacity to test approximately 5,000 drug samples each year, the facility is set to cater not only to Assam but also to all eight northeastern states. In his inaugural speech, Minister Singhal emphasized the importance of this development, stating that the lab’s world-class infrastructure marks a historic step in ensuring access to safe and high-quality healthcare. He highlighted that the new facility eliminates the need to send drug samples to Kolkata or other cities, enabling faster and more efficient testing within the region.

Minister Singhal reaffirmed the government’s dedication to protecting public health and applauded the initiative as a testament to Assam’s ongoing commitment to strengthening healthcare services.

The inauguration ceremony was attended by several key officials, including P. Ashok Babu, Commissioner-Secretary of the Department of Health and Family Welfare; Umesh Phangcho, Director of Health Services; Dr Indranoshee Das, Director of AYUSH Mission, Assam; and Abhijit Baruah, the recently retired Commissioner of the Food Safety and Drug Administration, along with other departmental dignitaries.

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