Media Release
Mangalore, Jul 27: An upgraded central laboratory of Father Muller Medical College Hospital here on Tuesday July 26. The chief guest of the function, Labhu Ram, superintendent of police, Dakshina Kannada district, inaugurated the new central laboratory.
The blessing ceremony of the lab was conducted by Fr Denis D’Sa, administrator and in-charge director of the Father Muller Medical College, Fr Richard, administrator of Father Muller Medical College Hospital and Fr Vincent, assistant administrator of Father Muller Medical College Hospital. The heads of the departments of microbiology, pathology, biochemistry and the dean Dr J P Alva, showed the facilities available in the lab to the chief guest.
A formal function was held in the conference hall, where Fr Denis D’Sa welcomed the gathering. Joe Gonsalves, community leader and former member of Father Muller Charitable institutions advisory committee introduced the chief guest to the gathering. Dr J P Alva briefed about the modern facilities available in the laboratory.
The chief guest Labhu Ram in his address appreciated the good work and charitable services done by this institution for the poor for over 131 years. He added that even though latest technologies and facilities are introduced it should not affect the poor by increase in cost. He requested the institution to continue and increase the charitable work and wished that this institution becomes one of India’s leading institutions in the medical field.
Denis D’Sa assured Labhu Ram that the institutions will continue the charity work and added that the institute is already spending four to five crores per year on charity. Fr Richard delivered the vote of thanks. The teaching staff, technicians and students from various departments, members of the press were also present on the occasion.
The Father Muller central laboratory constitutes three fully equipped departments namely, biochemistry, microbiology and pathology. It has a dedicated, competent team of highly qualified doctors and technicians. The laboratory functions 24/7 processing over 2500 tests per day for both out-patients and in-patients. Both conventional and modern facilities are followed for rapid and accurate laboratory diagnosis of diseases.
The biochemistry department has fully automated biochemical analyzers for routine biochemical analysis, electro chemiluminescence assay for hormones, thyroid profile and tumour markers. Electrophoresis for serum proteins and haemoglobin, arterial blood gas analyzers, serum electrolytes analyzer, level-1 screening for inborn metabolic diseases and facility for performing High performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).
The microbiology department has facilities for bacteriology (including anaerobic culture), parasitology, mycology, Mycobacteriology, virology and serology. Diagnosis of diseases like HIV, hepatiis-A, hepatiis-B, hepatitis-C, hepatitis-E, Dengue virus, Leptospirosis are done routinely by standard methods. Immunofluorescence facilities for diagnosis of autoimmune diseases, Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for rapid diagnosis of Tuberculosis and Herpes viruses, Automated BACTEC blood culturing system, micro-MGIT culture system for diagnosis of tuberculosis.
The pathology department has fully automated haematology and coagulation analyzer. Clinical pathology and histopathology facilities for diagnosis of tumours and other pathological conditions. Immunohistochemistry for diagnosis of malignant tumours. Frozen section by cryostat for intra-operative diagnosis. Gynaecological cytology and fine needle aspiration cytology (FNAC) facilities. Cytogenetics facility is also available for genetic studies.
The laboratory routinely performs internal quality checks and participates regularly in external quality assessment programs. It is also in the process of accreditation to NABL (National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories).