For the first time in Pakistan, a government hospital will offer immediate biopsy results for suspected cancer patients, thanks to a groundbreaking technological upgrade. As part of development initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year, Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) is set to introduce the confocal instant digital pathology system, enabling real-time analysis of tumors during surgery.
This advanced system will allow surgeons at JPMC to identify the type and extent of a tumor on the spot, without the typical wait of 14 to 15 days for biopsy results. JPMC will become the country’s first public healthcare facility to adopt this cutting-edge technology, which has previously only been available in private hospitals.
Professor Shahid Rasool, Executive Director of Jinnah Hospital Karachi, confirmed that the Sindh Health Department is facilitating the installation under the province’s Annual Development Programme. The technology works by preparing slides and analyzing samples during surgery, helping doctors make immediate, informed decisions.
A total of two digital pathology units will be procured for Rs 366 million. One unit will be installed in the surgical complex, serving departments such as general surgery, orthopaedics, thoracic surgery, and ENT, while the second will be placed in the gynaecology ward.
The primary goals of the project are to improve diagnostic speed and accuracy, reduce the duration patients are kept under anaesthesia, and minimize surgical risks. Traditional methods like frozen sections and core biopsies often delay treatment decisions, potentially putting patients at greater risk.
In addition to the equipment, the initiative includes training programs to enhance the technical skills of medical personnel. Hospital officials highlighted that this new service will be especially helpful for low- and middle-income patients who cannot afford timely diagnostic care at private facilities.
