WHO boosts Nepal’s disease detection capacity with RT-PCR machine handover to NPHL

Kathmandu, Bagmati province – WHO Country Office for Nepal handed over a Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) machine to the National Public Health Laboratory (NPHL), Ministry of Health and Population. The handover, held at the NPHL premises in the presence of WHO and NPHL officials, including the Director of NPHL, marks a significant step toward enhancing the accurate detection and confirmation of vaccine-preventable diseases such as measles and rubella, as well as other communicable diseases. The machine will also enhance Nepal’s molecular diagnostic capacity by enabling timely detection of disease transmission sources and patterns, distinguishing indigenous and imported cases and guiding targeted public health interventions to strengthen outbreak preparedness and response. This initiative aligns with regional efforts to eliminate measles and rubella, a flagship priority, with WHO committed to ensuring the efficient and effective use of the equipment for priority disease surveillance.