<p>The Aga Khan University Hospital commissioned its 300th laboratory sample collection unit on December 19th, 2022. The opening of the collection unit is in line with the institution's guiding principles of Quality, Relevance, Access, and Impact.
</p><p>The opening of the 300<sup>th</sup> collection point at Gulshan-e-Iqbal Karachi is part of ongoing efforts by the Hospital to provide access to quality testing services throughout the country. This network of lab sample collection units has evolved over the years and achieved many milestones in the last 35 years. The AKUH Clinical Laboratory with the Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine takes pride in being the first laboratory to achieve the College of American Pathologists (CAP) Accreditation for its tertiary and outreach laboratories. It is a pioneer in specialized and highly complex manual testing in the field of histopathology, microbiology, and molecular pathology and in the introduction of fully automated biochemistry and hematology testing platforms in Pakistan. More recent academic advances at the Department of Pathology and Lab Medicine have resulted in specialized testing facilities in the fields of genetics and oncology.
</p><p>Speaking at the inauguration, Dr. Sulaiman Shahbuddin, President AKU, lauded the clinical laboratories team for its efforts in providing quality testing services that are accessible to people throughout Pakistan. Speaking at the inauguration, he said, "The inauguration of the 300<sup>th</sup> collection point is another big milestone. We are continuously expanding our healthcare network to create access for everyone while maintaining the highest quality standards. Our actions set the precedence for others to follow which eventually benefits society on a larger scale. We will continue to find ways of serving the community in a meaningful way."
</p><p>Dr. Farhat Abbas, Interim CEO of AKUH Health Services, Pakistan, said, "We understand our responsibility as role models. Whether it is the inauguration of the Medical College, Hospital, Outreach Health Network, or other healthcare initiatives, such contributions uplift the healthcare system of Pakistan."
</p><p>The Clinical Laboratory at AKUH offers more than 800 test menus in the areas of hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, histopathology, molecular pathology, blood bank, and transfusion services. It is equipped with state-of-art fully automated computerized testing platforms that are overseen by highly qualified faculty. The CAP-accredited four-tier lab system comprises of a main tertiary care lab in Karachi, 13 outreach laboratories in 9 cities across Pakistan, and 300 laboratory sample collection units in over 130 cities. </p><p>True to two of AKUH's guiding principles of access and quality, AKUH collection units offer financial support to deserving patients through AKUH's Patient Welfare Programme at over 240 collection points and the Patient Behbud Society for AKUH's Zakat Programme at 101 lab collection points throughout the country.
</p>
