National Institute of Health Islamabad

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INTRODUCTION

National Institute of Health is one of the most prestigious institutions of the country involved in multi disciplinary public health related activities like diagnostic services, research and production of biologicals for the last more than 40 years.

The idea of establishing a National Health Center (NHC) was conceived in early 1960's, which started functioning in 1965 at Islamabad, near Rawal Lake, 10 kilometers from zero point. Various independently working organizations like Bureau of Laboratories, Directorate of Nutrition Survey and some other health related research organizations were shifted to NHC. Later on all these independently working departments were integrated and designated as National Health laboratories (NHL - Islamabad).

This organization was given the status of an autonomous organization as National Institute of Health (NIH) under the Ministry of Health (MoH) through a presidential ordinance XLIII of 1980, to facilitate international and regional collaboration, seek technical assistance and participate in global disease control programs more effectively.

Since its emergence as an autonomous organization, it has made numerous developments in the field of laboratory diagnosis, biological manufacturing, food and drug quality control, research & development and training facilities. The institute is actively involved in the laboratory and field investigation of infectious diseases including the etiology and epidemiology. Emphasis has also been laid on human resource development and capacity building for the benefit of the institute in particular and benefit of the public in general.

The institute is a WHO collaborating center for viral diagnostics and regional reference laboratory for Polio in addition to being a national reference center for diagnosis of Influenza. It also works as the National Appellate Laboratory for quality control of drugs and is the public analyst laboratory for the quality control of food for the federal territory, Islamabad. NIH also conducts numerous international, regional and national seminars, symposia and other related activities.