Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER INAUGURATES ADVANCED HEMOGRAM LABORATORY IN NEW OPD BLOCK
PGI’s Hematology Department has established an Advanced Fully Automated Hemogram Laboratory
catering to the institute’s heavy OPD patient workload. This was inaugurated by the Director,
Professor Vivek Lal on Tuesday, 06 December 2022. The new laboratory is fully equipped with the
latest instruments to test blood samples, and automatically prepare slides for examination by
pathologists. The hemogram includes tests like hemoglobin, platelet count and white blood cell
count as well as differential count, reticulocyte count etc. These are very commonly requested tests
by the clinical services, and this new initiative will cut down the time for reports to 4 to 6 hours,
from the previous turn-around time of about 15 hours.
In addition to the basic tests, the new machines are also equipped with sophisticated new features
like fluorescent platelet counts (useful in dengue patients), detection of fragmented red blood cells
in microangiopathic anemia as well as early detection of iron deficiency through reticulocyte
hemoglobin content. They will also detect abnormal cells in patients with infections and blood
cancer. This will further enhance the patient care services as well as aid the research activities of the
institute.
Prof. Vivek Lal, speaking on the occasion, said that it was a matter of pride for the institute to have
state-of-the-art laboratories that compare with the best in the world, and the administration was in
full support of further such advancements that ease the life of patients. Prof. Reena Das, head of the
Department of Hematology said that the basic tests are often the most important as they impact the
largest number of patients. Prof. Pankaj Malhotra, head of the Clinical Hematology and Medical
Oncology Department, also graced the occasion and expressed happiness at the availability of the
even more timely and accurate reports. The function was also attended by the Deputy Director
(Administration) – Sh. Kumar Gaurav Dhawan, the Financial Advisor of the institute – Sh. Kumar
Abhay, and Prof. (Dr.) Vipin Kaushal, Medical Superintendent cum Head, Deptt of Hospital Administration.
