Aga Khan University Hospital Laboratory

Diagnostic Laboratory Facility

The Aga Khan University Hospital Clinical Laboratories provide comprehensive diagnostic testing services for both hospital patients and people visiting laboratory collection facilities across Pakistan. The laboratory network offers routine as well as specialized investigations, supported by qualified pathologists, technologists and laboratory professionals. The clinical laboratory system includes five major areas: Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Histopathology, Microbiology and Molecular Pathology.

Laboratory Network and Accessibility

The laboratory network extends across more than 300 locations in over 130 cities in Pakistan, including the main clinical laboratory at the Karachi hospital campus, Stat Laboratories and numerous laboratory collection outlets and phlebotomy stations. This extensive network allows patients to access laboratory testing and sample collection services in different parts of the country.

Clinical Chemistry

Clinical Chemistry covers biochemical investigations used for routine health screening and evaluation of different body functions. The laboratory offers both routine and specialized chemistry testing, supported by automated laboratory technology. The published laboratory menu includes a wide range of investigations and health screening packages.

Haematology and Transfusion Medicine

Haematology services cover investigations related to blood cells, blood disorders and other hematological parameters. Transfusion Medicine is another major laboratory section, with blood bank and transfusion-related services available through the hospital laboratory system.

Microbiology Services

Microbiology provides laboratory investigations involving clinical specimens and microorganisms. Depending on the requested investigation, services may include microscopy, culture and other microbiological testing used to support clinical evaluation.

Histopathology

Histopathology involves microscopic examination of tissue specimens. This section supports the evaluation of tissue abnormalities and provides laboratory findings that doctors can consider together with clinical and imaging information.

Molecular Pathology

Molecular Pathology provides advanced laboratory investigations involving molecular and genetic information. The laboratory network offers specialized testing in addition to routine diagnostic investigations, including genetic testing and molecular investigations.

Biochemical Genetics

Biochemical Genetic Laboratory services are part of the advanced diagnostic facilities. These investigations can be used for selected inherited or metabolic disorders according to clinical requirements and available test menus.

Blood Bank and Transfusion Services

Blood bank and transfusion services form part of the laboratory and pathology system. The Main Clinical Laboratory at the Karachi campus provides transfusion medicine services, while the main hospital blood bank operates as a dedicated service.

Quality Management

The laboratory follows a Total Quality Management System covering different stages of the testing process, from specimen handling and laboratory analysis through reporting. The clinical laboratories have been accredited by the College of American Pathologists (CAP), while the hospital is accredited by Joint Commission International (JCI).

Laboratory Technology

The laboratory uses automated platforms and modern diagnostic equipment for different areas of testing. The published laboratory information describes robotic analyzers for Chemistry and Hematology along with advanced facilities for Histopathology, Molecular Pathology, Microbiology and Biochemical Genetics.

Home Sample Collection

Home laboratory sample collection is available as a value-added service. Blood, urine, stool and other suitable samples can be collected from a patient's home, subject to service availability and booking requirements.

Online Reports and Digital Services

Digital laboratory services include electronic reports, SMS alerts, real-time critical result reporting and the Family Hifazat application. These services can help patients access laboratory information without relying only on physical report collection.

Report Processing

The laboratory provides same-day and real-time reporting for many investigations, while specialized tests may require additional processing time. Critical laboratory findings are communicated urgently according to the laboratory's reporting procedures.

Contact Information

The Main Hospital Clinical Laboratory can be contacted through the main hospital contact number +92 21 111 911 911. The Main Clinical Laboratory at the Karachi campus operates 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Important Information

Test availability, sample requirements, preparation instructions, charges and report turnaround time can differ according to the investigation and collection location. Patients should confirm the requirements for a specific test before visiting a collection centre or requesting home sample collection.

Blood Tests

A broad range of blood investigations is available, covering routine screening, disease monitoring and specialized diagnostic requirements. The clinical laboratory's published test menu includes hundreds of routine and specialized investigations.

Complete Blood Count

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is a commonly requested hematology investigation that measures major blood-cell parameters such as red blood cells, white blood cells, hemoglobin and platelets.

Blood Sugar Testing

Blood glucose investigations are available for routine assessment and monitoring of blood sugar levels. Additional diabetes-related investigations may be performed according to the physician's request and laboratory test menu.

Liver Function Tests

Liver-related laboratory investigations may include measurements of enzymes, bilirubin and other biochemical parameters used in the assessment of liver function.

Kidney Function Tests

Kidney-related investigations can include creatinine, urea, electrolytes and other biochemical measurements used to evaluate renal function.

Lipid Profile

Lipid testing may include total cholesterol, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol and triglycerides. Individual tests or complete profiles can be requested according to clinical requirements.

Thyroid and Hormone Testing

Thyroid and other hormone investigations are available as part of the specialized laboratory test menu. The exact tests required depend on the patient's clinical situation and physician's recommendation.

Vitamin Testing

Vitamin-related investigations are available for selected nutritional and deficiency-related assessments. The laboratory also publishes specialized screening packages, including Vitamin B12 deficiency screening.

Immunology and Serology

Immunology and serology investigations can include antigen- and antibody-based testing for selected infectious, immune-related and other clinical conditions.

Microbiology and Culture

Microbiology services include laboratory examination of suitable clinical specimens. Depending on the investigation, testing may involve microscopy, culture and other microbiological methods.

Histopathology

Histopathology services involve examination of tissue specimens under laboratory conditions. These investigations can provide microscopic findings that are considered alongside clinical information and other diagnostic results.

Molecular and Genetic Testing

Molecular pathology provides advanced testing involving DNA, genetic markers and other molecular information. The laboratory network also provides selected genetic investigations and biochemical genetic testing.

Haematology Testing

Hematology services cover investigations of blood cells and related parameters. Testing can include routine blood counts and specialized hematological investigations depending on the requested test.

Transfusion Medicine

Transfusion Medicine services support blood-related clinical requirements and are linked with the hospital's blood bank and laboratory system. The Main Clinical Laboratory lists Transfusion Medicine among its services.

Infectious Disease Testing

Laboratory testing for selected infectious diseases is available through microbiology, serology, molecular pathology and other relevant laboratory sections. The exact test method depends on the suspected infection and requested investigation.

Coagulation Testing

Coagulation profiles are included among the published laboratory packages and can be used to assess different blood-clotting parameters.

Inherited Metabolic Disorder Testing

Specialized testing for inherited metabolic disorders is available through selected laboratory packages and biochemical genetic services. These investigations are generally performed according to clinical requirements.

Health Screening Packages

The laboratory provides different health screening packages, including yearly health screening options and condition-specific packages. Package contents and prices may change, so current details should be confirmed before booking.

Urine and Other Specimen Testing

Laboratory services include examination of different biological specimens according to the requested investigation. Depending on the test, samples may include blood, urine, stool, tissue or other suitable clinical specimens.

Home Sample Collection

Home collection services are available for suitable laboratory specimens, including blood, urine and stool samples. Patients can use the available booking channels to request collection from their home, subject to service coverage.

Online Reports

Electronic reports, SMS alerts and digital access options are available for laboratory patients. Real-time critical result reporting is also part of the laboratory's patient service system.

Report Processing

Many routine investigations can be reported on the same day or in real time, while specialized molecular, genetic, histopathology and other advanced investigations may require longer processing periods.

Important Note

Not every test is necessarily available at every collection outlet. Before visiting, patients should confirm the specific test, sample type, fasting or preparation requirements, charges, collection location and expected report time.