In a major healthcare breakthrough, Karachi’s Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Centre (JPMC) will soon become the first government hospital in Pakistan to offer real-time biopsy results for suspected cancer patients. The new system, made possible through the Sindh government’s Annual Development Programme, will dramatically reduce the wait time for crucial cancer diagnoses.
The confocal instant digital pathology system — previously available only in private hospitals — allows surgeons to determine the presence and extent of tumors during surgery itself. Professor Shahid Rasool, Executive Director of JPMC, confirmed that two advanced units worth Rs366 million will be installed: one in the surgical complex and the other in the gynaecology ward.
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This technology will significantly benefit departments such as general surgery, orthopaedics, thoracic, ENT, and gynaecology. The primary goal is to improve both the speed and accuracy of biopsy reports while reducing the duration patients remain under anaesthesia. Unlike traditional methods, which can take up to two weeks, instant results will now be available during the operation.
In addition to the equipment, the initiative includes training programs to upskill medical personnel in handling and interpreting the digital pathology system. This ensures long-term sustainability and maximises the utility of the new diagnostic approach.
The development is expected to be a game-changer for economically disadvantaged patients who cannot afford expensive diagnostics in private hospitals, making life-saving early detection more accessible and equitable.
