PGIMER's Innovative Tobacco Lab Certification Course Earns National Acclaim
The Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER) in Chandigarh has achieved significant recognition from the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) for its groundbreaking educational initiative. The institute's Scientific Support Group (SSG) has developed a pioneering Certificate Course on Good Laboratory Practices (GLP) specifically designed to enhance the capabilities of National Tobacco Testing Laboratories (NTTLs) throughout India.
Health Ministry Lauds "Global First" Initiative
During an on-site consultative meeting held on January 29, 2026, alongside the 7th National Conference on Tobacco or Health at AIIMS Raebareli, senior health officials expressed strong appreciation for PGIMER's innovative program. Dr. Avinash Sunthlia, Deputy Additional Director General of the National Tobacco Control Programme within MoHFW, described the certificate course as a "global first" in laboratory education.
"This initiative represents a foundational step toward ensuring that tobacco testing laboratories across India operate at the highest international standards," emphasized Dr. Sunthlia during the consultative meeting. The recognition highlights the course's potential to transform tobacco testing infrastructure nationwide.
Strengthening India's Tobacco Control Infrastructure
The Certificate Course on Good Laboratory Practices represents a strategic intervention in India's public health landscape. By focusing specifically on tobacco testing laboratories, the program addresses a critical need for standardized, high-quality testing protocols across the country's network of NTTLs.
The curriculum development by PGIMER's Scientific Support Group demonstrates the institute's commitment to advancing laboratory sciences while supporting national public health priorities. The course structure is designed to equip laboratory professionals with essential skills and knowledge required for maintaining rigorous quality standards in tobacco product testing.
Strategic Timing and National Impact
The announcement comes at a significant moment in India's tobacco control efforts, coinciding with the 7th National Conference on Tobacco or Health. This timing underscores the course's alignment with broader national strategies to combat tobacco-related health challenges through improved scientific infrastructure.
The Good Laboratory Practices certification program is expected to:
- Enhance the technical capabilities of laboratory personnel across India's tobacco testing network
- Establish uniform quality standards for tobacco product analysis nationwide
- Support evidence-based tobacco control policies through reliable laboratory data
- Position India's tobacco testing infrastructure at par with international best practices
PGIMER Chandigarh's leadership in developing this specialized educational program reinforces the institute's role as a premier medical education and research institution contributing to national health priorities. The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare's endorsement signals strong governmental support for this capacity-building initiative that promises to strengthen India's public health infrastructure for years to come.
