Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Wednesday inaugurated the Ultima Research and Diagnostic Laboratory, a state-of-the-art facility designed to enhance diagnostic services in the province.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony held at a local hotel, the CM said modern diagnostic systems played a critical role in improving healthcare outcomes. He emphasised that accurate and timely test results were essential for effective treatment and better patient care.
The CM was received by Sindh Health Minister Dr Azra Fazal Pechuho, Ultima Lab CEO Dr Fazalullah Pechuho, Dr Amtul Latif, Health Secretary Tahir Sangi and others. The CM said the Sindh government was continuously working to upgrade healthcare services across the province and stressed that the private sector had an important role in supporting and complementing public health efforts.
“Providing quality and affordable diagnostic facilities to the people is the need of the hour,” he said, describing the new laboratory as a welcome addition equipped with advanced technology.
Shah said his government would continue to invest in and reform the health sector. He noted that significant progress had been made in tertiary health care, with several institutions earning recognition for their performance and service delivery.
Highlighting budgetary priorities, he said a substantial share of the provincial budget was allocated to health to ensure better facilities for citizens. He added that child health institutes were being established across the province with a focus on improving child health care.
Shah said the Sindh government, in partnership with the ChildLife Foundation, was working in major institutions, including Jinnah hospital and the National Institute of Cardiovascular Diseases (NICVD), to strengthen healthcare services.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Azra highlighted the importance of diagnostic laboratories in initiating proper patient treatment. She noted that affordability remained a key challenge.
She called for establishing modern labs offering affordable tests so every patient could access essential diagnostics. The health minister said the Ultima Lab stood out among private laboratories because of its advanced technology, innovation, and affordability, making it a valuable addition to the private healthcare sector.
Dr Fazalullah said he established the laboratory after retirement with the aim of providing affordable medical testing services to the public. He expressed the hope that the facility would serve as a reliable and accessible diagnostic centre for the people of Sindh.
