Nepal expands laboratory diagnostics for detection and reporting of drug-resistant pathogens at subnational level

Nepal - The National Public Health Laboratory, under the Ministry of Health and Population, with support from WHO Country Office for  Nepal, has successfully established microbiology laboratories in 21 provincial and local hospitals across all seven provinces of Nepal. The installation was carried out between July 2025 and February 2026, followed by the provision of starter laboratory reagents, culture media and laboratory bench-aids. The newly established laboratories will deliver bacteriology culture and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) services. WHO has supported hands-on training for selected hospitals in Koshi and Bagmati Provinces and will continue training in the remaining provinces to ensure quality and sustainable laboratory services. This initiative expands access to diagnostics, supports evidence-based treatment and strengthens antimicrobial resistance surveillance at the subnational level, contributing to the advancement of Nepal’s National Action Plan on AMR. The activity was supported by The Pandemic Fund.