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Pakistan’s first genetic molecular laboratory has been inaugurated with the cooperation of the Association of Pakistani Physicians of North America (APPNA), an organization of Pakistani-origin doctors based in the United States.
The newly established lab, located on the campus of Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU), aims to genetic abnormalities in children and adults as well as assess physical and mental impairments in preterm infants.
Prominent figures attended the launch event at the Karachi Press Club, including Dr. Asif Mohiuddin, President of the APPNA, Dr. Rizwan Naeem, General Secretary, Prof. Amjad Siraj Memon, Vice Chancellor of Jinnah Sindh Medical University, and Prof. Dr. Saeed Qureshi, Vice Chancellor of Dow University.
According to Dr. Mohiuddin, the new lab will be crucial in identifying probable illnesses and genetic problems in infants. “The facility would be particularly valuable for identifying conditions in premature infants and could also predict health issues that might arise in the future,” he said while describing the lab as a “significant step” toward modernizing medical diagnostics in Pakistan.
Prof. Memon said that the laboratory is equipped with state-of-the-art technology, enabling the early detection of genetic defects. “The lab will have the capability to determine a child’s genetic makeup and even identify the gender by extracting fluid from the mother’s womb.”
Additionally, at a briefing organized on Wednesday at the Karachi Press Club, it was revealed that APPNA will support Jinnah Sindh Medical University (JSMU) and Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS) in establishing a molecular genomic laboratory and an institute for artificial intelligence and emerging technologies, respectively.
“Given the growing population and the significant number of children born with genetic abnormalities, the genomic lab is an essential step forward,” said Vice Chancellor JSMU Prof. Amjad Siraj Memon at the presser.
The initiative, worth $100,000, would provide state-of-the-art blood testing that might identify genetic problems and chromosomal abnormalities as early as the sixth week of pregnancy. “These tests can also identify sex determination issues, enabling timely diagnosis and intervention,” he added.
Prof. Memon said that these services will be beneficial to pregnant women in the gynaecology wards of Jinnah Hospital as well as all children who appear at the National Institute of Child Health.
APPNA President Dr. Asif Mohiuddin and Chairman Saeed Sabir discussed the establishment of the Dow-APPNA Institute of Emerging Technologies at Dow University, saying that the institute would equip aspiring medical professionals with the skills and information they need to incorporate AI and other cutting-edge technologies into their practice, revolutionizing patient care and results across the country.
The development is a significant step forward for Pakistan’s health industry, allowing its residents to get first-world diagnoses. With the establishment of this genetic molecular laboratory, Pakistan takes a crucial step towards advancing its health sector.
