KARACHI, Sept 22: A reference laboratory, built on the premises of the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases, was inaugurated on Wednesday by the adviser on health to the chief minister.

The laboratory has been established at a cost of Rs12.3 million as a result of the collaboration between the World Health Organization, the National TB Control Programme and the Ojha Institute of Chest Diseases.

Speaking on the occasion Faisal Malik, the health adviser, praised the step as a positive one, as a consequence of which quality research could now be undertaken for the benefit of the people suffering from tuberculosis and other chest diseases.

Mr Malik said the Ojha Institute was being upgraded and the services provided by it improved. Later, Mr Malik inspected the various sections and departments of the institute.