The Aga Khan University Hospital Laboratory

The Aga Khan University Hospital Clinical Laboratory is a comprehensive clinical diagnostic laboratory service operated by The Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH). The laboratory provides routine and specialized diagnostic testing for patients and healthcare professionals across Pakistan through its extensive network of clinical laboratories, laboratory collection outlets, and phlebotomy stations. The main clinical laboratory is located at the AKUH Main Hospital Campus in Karachi, while the wider laboratory network provides access to diagnostic services in cities throughout the country.

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Aga Khan University Hospital provides laboratory investigations that support disease screening, diagnosis, treatment decisions, and monitoring of medical conditions. The laboratory network is designed to provide reliable and timely diagnostic information for both routine healthcare needs and complex medical investigations.

AKUH Clinical Laboratories cover five major areas of laboratory medicine: Clinical Chemistry, Haematology and Transfusion Medicine, Histopathology, Microbiology, and Molecular Pathology. These departments allow the laboratory network to provide a broad spectrum of diagnostic investigations, ranging from routine blood work and biochemical testing to advanced molecular and genetic investigations.

The Clinical Chemistry section performs investigations related to biochemical and metabolic functions of the body. These tests can assist healthcare professionals in evaluating organ function, metabolic conditions, hormonal abnormalities, and other clinical conditions.

The Haematology and Transfusion Medicine section provides laboratory services related to blood cells, blood disorders, coagulation, and transfusion-related requirements. These investigations can support the diagnosis and monitoring of conditions affecting the blood and blood-forming systems.

Histopathology is another important part of the laboratory service. Tissue and biopsy specimens can be examined to help identify pathological changes and support the diagnosis of various diseases, including tumors and other tissue-related conditions.

The Microbiology section supports the investigation of infectious diseases. Depending on the specimen and clinical requirement, microbiological investigations can help identify infectious organisms and determine appropriate antimicrobial sensitivity.

The laboratory also has a Molecular Pathology section that supports advanced diagnostic investigations, including molecular and genetic testing. Such testing can be useful in the diagnosis and management of infectious diseases, inherited conditions, cancers, and other complex medical conditions.

A major feature of AKUH Clinical Laboratories is its quality-focused approach. The hospital states that its clinical laboratories were the first in Pakistan to receive College of American Pathologists (CAP) accreditation in 2017. The laboratory system also operates under a Total Quality Management System designed to maintain quality and reliability throughout the testing process.

The laboratory network provides same-day and real-time reporting for many investigations, while critical test results can be communicated urgently to the relevant doctor or patient. Reports may also be interpreted with support from experienced pathologists where appropriate.

AKUH Clinical Laboratories also provide several patient-focused services, including electronic reports, SMS alerts, stat reporting, home laboratory sample collection, and laboratory collection outlets. The network allows patients to access laboratory services closer to their homes while samples can be transported through the laboratory's established system for appropriate processing.

The Patient Welfare Programme is another service associated with AKUH Clinical Laboratories. It is designed to help patients with financial constraints access quality diagnostic laboratory services through designated phlebotomy stations and welfare arrangements.

Overall, The Aga Khan University Hospital Clinical Laboratory is a comprehensive diagnostic laboratory network providing routine, specialized, pathology, microbiology, molecular, hematology, and biochemical testing services. Its extensive network, qualified laboratory professionals, quality systems, and CAP accreditation make it one of the major clinical laboratory services available to patients in Pakistan.

Tests & Services

The Aga Khan University Hospital Clinical Laboratories provide routine and specialized diagnostic testing through their laboratory network. Services are organized across major clinical laboratory departments, with individual test availability depending on the location and type of investigation.

1. Clinical Chemistry

• Blood Glucose Testing
• Fasting Blood Sugar
• Random Blood Sugar
• HbA1c
• Liver Function Tests
• Kidney/Renal Function Tests
• Lipid Profile
• Cholesterol
• Triglycerides
• Uric Acid
• Calcium
• Electrolytes
• Enzyme Testing
• Protein Studies
• Organ Function Testing
• Metabolic Investigations
• Specialized Chemical Pathology Tests

2. Haematology

• Complete Blood Count (CBC)
• Hemoglobin
• White Blood Cell Count
• Red Blood Cell Count
• Platelet Count
• Hematocrit
• ESR
• Peripheral Blood Film
• Reticulocyte Investigations
• Coagulation Studies
• Blood Disorder Investigations
• Other Hematology Tests

3. Transfusion Medicine & Blood Bank Services

• Blood Grouping
• Rh Typing
• Compatibility Testing
• Blood Component Services
• Transfusion-Related Investigations
• Blood Bank Services
• Transfusion Medicine Support

4. Microbiology

• Urine Culture & Sensitivity
• Blood Culture
• Stool Culture
• Sputum Culture
• Pus/Wound Culture
• Bacterial Identification
• Antibiotic Sensitivity Testing
• Infectious Disease Investigations
• Microbiological Examination of Clinical Specimens

5. Histopathology

• Tissue Examination
• Biopsy Examination
• Histopathological Diagnosis
• Surgical Pathology
• Special Stains
• Tissue-Based Diagnostic Investigations
• Tumor/Neoplastic Tissue Evaluation
• Other Histopathology Services

6. Cytopathology

• Cytological Examination
• Cellular Sample Analysis
• FNAC-Related Investigations
• Smear Examination
• Cytology-Based Diagnostic Testing
• Other Cellular Pathology Services

7. Molecular Pathology

• Molecular Diagnostic Testing
• PCR-Based Investigations
• Genetic Testing
• Molecular Infectious Disease Testing
• Genetic/Molecular Analysis
• Advanced Molecular Diagnostics
• Specialized Genetic Investigations

8. Infectious Disease Testing

• Hepatitis Testing
• HIV Testing
• Dengue Investigations
• Malaria Investigations
• Viral Testing
• Bacterial Investigations
• Antigen Testing
• Antibody/Serology Testing
• Molecular Infectious Disease Testing

9. Hormone & Endocrine Testing

• Thyroid Function Tests
• TSH
• Free T3
• Free T4
• Prolactin
• FSH
• LH
• Testosterone
• Estradiol
• Progesterone
• Cortisol
• Other Endocrine Investigations

10. Genetic & Advanced Testing

• Genetic Testing
• Molecular Genetics
• Inherited Disease Investigations
• Advanced Molecular Testing
• Specialized Diagnostic Testing
• Genetic/Chromosomal Investigations where available

11. Routine Specimen Testing

• Blood Sample Testing
• Urine Examination
• Stool Examination
• Body Fluid Analysis
• Clinical Specimen Processing
• Specialized Specimen Testing

12. Laboratory Collection & Patient Services

• Laboratory Sample Collection
• Phlebotomy Services
• Home Laboratory Sample Collection
• Laboratory Collection Outlets
• Electronic Reports
• SMS Report Alerts
• Stat/urgent reporting
• Critical Result Reporting
• Pathologist Support and Report Interpretation

AKUH states that its laboratory network provides routine and specialized testing, including advanced genetic testing, and offers same-day or real-time reporting for many investigations. Exact test availability, sample requirements, charges, and reporting times can vary by laboratory location and should be confirmed before testing.