UHS opens modern clinical laboratory to public

The University of Health Sciences has opened a new clinical laboratory to the public, offering more than 178 diagnostic tests, including cancer, genetic and other specialised examinations, at what officials described as affordable rates.

Punjab Minister for Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Khawaja Salman Rafique inaugurated the facility, which UHS said was the most advanced public-sector clinical laboratory in the province.

The laboratory will provide hospitals and members of the public with a range of diagnostic services under one roof.

UHS said the facility would operate with the support of six modern departmental laboratories and would combine patient care, medical education and research.

Vice Chancellor Prof. Ahsan Waheed Rathore said the laboratory brought education, research and clinical services together on a single platform.

He said the facility would provide high-quality and low-cost diagnostic tests to the public while also supporting physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

The laboratory will conduct routine and specialised tests, including those related to cancer, genetics and other complex medical conditions.

University officials said the facility would also strengthen medical research by giving postgraduate students access to clinical samples within UHS.

They said students and researchers would no longer need to rely entirely on outside hospitals and laboratories to obtain samples for academic work.

The university said the laboratory was designed to support both patient treatment and research, allowing clinical findings to contribute to academic studies and improved healthcare practices.

Officials said the opening of the facility would expand access to modern diagnostic services in the public sector and reduce the need for patients to seek costly testing at private laboratories.

Further details about test charges, operating hours and sample collection procedures are expected to be issued by the university.