title: Microbiology services in public sector hospitals of Pakistan.
abstract: The purpose of clinical microbiology laboratory is to identify the actual etiologic agent(s) of infectious disease(s) based on morphological, biochemical, immunological and molecular procedures. Proficiency in isolating and identifying microorganisms, determining drug resistance of isolates; and in reporting the results is essential for the early detection and treatment of nosocomial pathogens. A Microbiologist is essentially interlinked with committees regarding hospital policy-making, infection-control, surveillance, investigation of infections in patients and personnel and maintaining a continuing education program. In the final analysis, the patients' well-being and health benefit most from clinical microbiology laboratory. This overview emphasizes the role of microbiology laboratory in government hospitals of Pakistan and general health care, without which the problem of multiple antibiotic resistance can only become worse.
authors.affiliation: Department of Microbiology, Shah Abdul Latif University, Khairpur, Sindh, Pakistan. doctor_badar@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Badaruddin A
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Memon
mesh_terms: D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D021821:Communicable Diseases, Emerging / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000382:microbiology; D004352:Drug Resistance, Microbial; D006779:Hospitals, Public / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D008828:Microbiological Techniques; D010154:Pakistan / Q000453:epidemiology