Sindh gets an official lab...in Jamshoro

Karachi
Instead of selecting any one of the several state-of-the art laboratories in Karachi, the Sindh health department has notified the molecular biology and genetics laboratory of Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro, to perform DNA tests for identification of bodies which are burnt or mutilated beyond recognition in fires, accidents, explosions or other mishaps.
Earlier, DNA samples from Sindh used to be sent to Islamabad for identification of bodies, a lengthy process which takes at least a fortnight. Body parts of suicide bombers were also sent all the way to Islamabad for ascertaining their identities via DNA tests.
There are a number of molecular genetics laboratories in Karachi and several of them are established at reputed educational institutes of the public sector including the Dr AQ Khan Institute of Biotechnology and Genetic Engineering and the Hussain Ebrahim Jamal Research Institute of Chemistry at the Karachi University, and the Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS).
All of them have the modern equipment and trained staff already familiar with conducting DNA tests on a regular basis. Moreover, private institutions include the Aga Khan University Hospital (AKUH) which has state-of-the-art facilities for DNA testing and experienced technicians.
However, the Sindh government has decided to designate the molecular and genetics laboratory of the LUMHS Jamshoro for conducting DHA tests of unidentified bodies, confirmed the special secretary for public health Dr Khalid Shaikh. He said a notification in this regard had also been issued to the LUMHS.
According to Shaikh, the decision was taken by the health minister Jam Mehtab Dahar during a visit to the facility recently.
Earlier, he said, the health department planned to build its own forensic laboratory for conducting DNA testing and genetic finger printing, but before that materialised the LUMHS was notified by the authorities.
As expected, experts in Karachi while expressing their surprise over the decision of the Sindh government to designate a laboratory in Hyderabad for carrying out complicated DNA tests, termed it to be a ‘ridiculous’ decision.