KABUL, May 10 (Xinhua) -- Afghan authorities inaugurated a modern laboratory in southern Afghanistan's Zabul province on Saturday, the state-run Bakhtar news agency reported.

Built at a cost of 250,000 U.S. dollars, the center aims to provide essential healthcare services to the residents of Zabul, one of the country's least developed provinces.

As part of ongoing efforts to improve the healthcare sector in post-war Afghanistan, the authorities built this laboratory with complete and developed machines and equipment that can facilitate and benefit the locals and poor people, the report added.

The Afghan interim government has reiterated its commitment to strengthening the healthcare system by expanding medical facilities and improving access to healthcare services nationwide. ■