In 1965 a Clinical & Public Health Division was set up at the then National Health Laboratories to provide laboratory support for timely prevention & control and technical support during epidemics. In addition to routine medical laboratory diagnostic services, this Division successfully provided coverage over the years for public health activities at national level. The Division is now functional with the name of Public Health Laboratories Division (PHLD) and is a WHO Collaborative Centre for Research and Training in Viral Diagnostics since late 1970s. Eversince its inception broad range of diagnostic services aiming public health support have been added to already existing facilities. This Division now comprises of the Departments of Virology/Molecular Biology, Microbiology, Haematology, Histopathology, Cyto-genetics, Chemical Pathology, Immunology, Electron Microscope, Reproductive Physiology, Parasitology and Environmental Health. In addition Epidemic Investigation Cell is also the part of this Division. Besides service delivery for laboratory diagnosis of communicable and non-communicable diseases and epidemics, the PHLD has engaged in disease surveillance, response and imparting technical training about new developments.

Core Functions: Major functions of the PHLD are as follows: ·         Advise the Ministry of Health on health related matters especially diagnosis and prevention of diseases and investigation of epidemics ·         To act as reference centre for the diagnosis and surveillance of diseases especially the infectious diseases

Mission:

This Division would provide diagnostic services to the general public while taking in to account the highest possible quality assurance norms, would function as research and training base for laboratory professionals and take standard preventive measures in case of disease outbreaks in the country.

Key Public Health Interventions and Programmes:

·               Response to Epidemics and Outbreaks: The Epidemic Investigation Cell of PHLD has provided technical support in 565 epidemics reported across Pakistan during last decade.

·               Seasonal Awareness & Alert Letter (SAAL) for epidemic prone infectious diseases in Pakistan: Three issues of SAAL i.e. Summer/Monsoon, Monsoon/Autumn and winter are released regularly conveying information regarding communicable diseases’ threats.

·               Lab-based Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance Project: Bacterial Meningitis Surveillance Programme is being implemented through the Microbiology Department, PHLD in collaboration with WHO EMRO as its Regional Initiative. The programme aims at generating data for sero-typing of meningitis causing fastidious bacterial isolates, which could be used for inclusion of specific vaccines in EPI.  

·               Laboratory Support for Polio Eradication through Molecular Sequencing: The regional reference laboratory (RRL) for polio eradication is providing support to whole country. This evidence-based data helps in identification of the strains and launch in time control measures to check the polio incidence in the vulnerable population. The facility has the capacity for molecular sequencing of the virus, which is one of its kinds in the region.

·               Lab-based Influenza Surveillance Project: Influenza Surveillance project with the technical assistance from Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Atlanta, USA is being implemented. The project will help in the capacity building of five provincial laboratories and strengthening of existing virology laboratory at the PHLD.

·               Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Programme (FELTP) was launched in September 2006 to train the public health officers in disease surveillance, outbreak investigation and response.

·               Successful Molecular Sequencing of the poliovirus in the Regional Reference Laboratory (RRL) at PHLD as a milestone public health achievement for the NIH and the Ministry of Health.

·               Research and Publications: Data generated through routine and specialized activities is disseminated at national and international forums through publications, presentations, and communication in scientific Journals, conferences and seminars.

·            Human Resource Development: The Public Health Laboratories Division is providing facilities for practical training, orientation and research to health care professionals on different aspects of laboratory medicine. A large number of technologists, scientists and professionals have been trained though training work shops/courses.

·               National Guidelines: The PHLD has developed and printed the following Guidelines/ materials of public health importance:

i.          National Guidelines on Quality Assurance in Laboratory Medicine

ii.         Seasonal Awareness and Alert letter (SAAL)

iii.        Guidelines for gastroenteritis including cholera control

iv.       Case definitions, management and prevention of infectious diseases

v.        Brochure for safe drinking water

·         Bio Safety Level-3 Diagnostic Laboratory: The construction of Bio-safety level-3 laboratory is under process

·         Development /implementation of Projects & PC-1s:

i.         Development of National Strategic Framework for Public Health Laboratories Network (PHLN) in Pakistan.

ii.        Preparation and submission of PC-1 for PHLN.

iii.       Development of Memoranduma of Understanding with the Quaid-i-Azam University Islamabad and Pakistan Institute of Engineering and Applied Sciences (PIEAS) for mutual academic collaboration leading to Ph.D and other degrees.

iv.       Implementation of NIH-MoH-WHO Project on Health Laboratory Support during biennium 2006-07.

v.        Implementation of NIH-MoH-WHO Project on Disease Early Warning System (DEWS).  

·               Influenza Preparedness Plan: The PHLD has developed a comprehensive Influenza Preparedness Plan at an estimated cost of Rs. 22,07,40,000/-.