Health-Related Laboratories

  • Health-related laboratories are where investigations are undertaken to identify, diagnose, monitor and control diseases and health conditions.

  • In these specialised settings, various types of scientific analysis may be performed. This includes but is not limited to: microbiological tests, blood tests, urinalysis, pathological examinations, genetics testing and immunologic tests.

  • Microbiological tests aim to detect and identify microbes such as bacteria, viruses, fungi, and parasites that may cause diseases.

  • Blood tests, one of the most common laboratory techniques, are used to assess general health, identify infections, assess organ function, and diagnose medical conditions.

  • Urinalysis, another commonly used method, examines the urine for signs of infection, metabolic disorders and kidney diseases.

  • Pathological examinations are typically done to study diseased tissues and cells.

  • Genetics testing is the examination of DNA and genetic materials to predict, diagnose or confirm genetic conditions. It helps with early detection and effective treatment planning.

  • Immunologic tests help assess individuals’ immune response. They can be instrumental in diagnosing allergies, autoimmune diseases, and infections, and in evaluating organ transplant compatibility.

  • Health-related labs adhere to strict guidelines for standard operating procedures to ensure test reliability. They follow protocols for sample collection, handling, and processing, in addition to quality control of equipment and procedures.

  • Personnel working in health-related laboratories are usually specialised professionals with skills in clinical biology, haematology, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, and molecular biology. They play a critical role in disease diagnosis, treatment, monitoring, and prevention.

  • Laboratory results are often a crucial part of clinical decision making and health care outcomes. Therefore, accuracy, reliability and timely delivery of these results are critical aspects of health-related laboratories’ services.

  • With the advancement in technology, automation, digitalization, and data analytics are being increasingly adopted in labs, leading to increased efficiency, reduced human errors, and enabling large scale population screening.