CHANDIGARH, 04.03.25-The Scientific Support Group (SSG) at the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh, received high praise from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare for its significant contributions to strengthening National Tobacco Testing Laboratories. Madam HekaliZhimomi, IAS, Additional Secretary, Department of Health and Family Welfare, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MOHFW), Government of India, lauded the SSG's work during the inaugural session of the "National Workshop on Good Laboratory Practice Manual for Tobacco Testing Laboratories: Strengthening Implementation of WHO-FCTC Articles 9 and 10 in India".
The Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, PGIMER, Chandigarh, in collaboration with the National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), Delhi, organised this workshop on 28thFebruary 2025 at NAMS, Delhi. Madam Zhimomi emphasised the impactful roles of two key Ministry initiatives, the SSG at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and the National Tobacco Regulatory Forum at JIPMER, Pondicherry, in advancing tobacco control in alignment with the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (WHO-FCTC) Articles 9 and 10.
Dr DigambarBehera, Guest of Honor President, NAMS and Professor Emeritus, PGIMER, echoed the Ministry's appreciation, pledging full support to the SSG's endeavours. Dr.Sonu Goel, Convenor (SSG) and Professor at PGIMER's Department of Community Medicine and School of Public Health, underscored the importance of a Good Laboratory Practice Manual for tobacco testing labs to regulate hazardous constituents in tobacco products and inform National Tobacco Control policies. This ground-breaking initiative, the first of its kind, aims to enhance the analytical and research capabilities of the three existing National Tobacco Testing Laboratories (NTTLs) while also developing capacity in other potential labs across the country.
This workshop united a diverse group of delegates, including researchers, academicians, policymakers, subject matter experts, key stakeholders and professionals from esteemed institutions such as MOHFW, ICMR, GOI, IIT, WHO, Vital Strategies, NIMHANS, AIIMS, NAMS, PHFI NIHFW, NTTLs and JIPMER. Brainstorming sessions focused on Advancing Progress in Good Laboratory Practices in Tobacco Product Regulation in India, followed by panel discussions on developing a Certificate course on Good Laboratory Practices for Strengthening WHO-FCTC Articles 9 and 10 in India. This collaborative effort marks a significant step toward more effective implementation of tobacco control measures in India.