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Pathology and Laboratory

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services at JDWNRH is the cornerstone of diagnostic services in Bhutan, serving as the apex referral laboratory for healthcare centers across the country. The department brings together specialized units — Biochemistry & Immunology, Clinical Microbiology, Haematology, Histopathology, Cytology, Blood Bank, and Sample Collection — under a unified Laboratory Management Committee, ensuring accurate, reliable, and timely diagnostic support for emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.
Equipped with state-of-the-art, fully automated instrumentation and staffed by a skilled multidisciplinary team of pathologists, mirobiologist, biochemist, blood bank specialist, laboratory technologists, and technicians, the department performs over 150 test panels and a wide range of specialized investigations — from tumor markers and hormone analysis to immunohistochemistry, limted molecular diagnostics and transfusion medicine.

Our Mission

To provide comprehensive, high-quality, and reliable diagnostic services as the nation’s apex referral laboratory — upholding rigorous quality standards, advancing through innovation and collaboration, and supporting the healthcare system at every level.

Our Vision

To be Bhutan’s leading center of excellence in laboratory services— a trusted national reference point that delivers accurate, timely, and innovative diagnostic services, driving improved health outcomes for every citizen.

Our Core Values

Patient-Centered Compassion

We treat every patient with empathy, dignity, and respect, recognizing and responding to their individual physical, emotional, and cultural needs.

Clinical Excellence and Safety

We maintain the highest standards of anesthesia practice through evidence-based medicine, robust safety measures, and continuous quality improvement.

Collaborative Teamwork

We value open communication, mutual respect, and multidisciplinary cooperation to provide seamless perioperative care and support successful surgical outcomes.

Equity and Accessibility

We are committed to ensuring all patients receive timely, inclusive, and equitable anesthesia care regardless of their background or circumstances.

Integrity and Accountability

We uphold ethical principles, transparency, and professionalism while remaining accountable to our patients, colleagues, and the wider community.

Innovation and Lifelong Learning

We encourage innovation, embrace advancements in medical technology, and promote a culture of continuous learning, education, and professional growth.

History of Pathology and Laboratory Services in Bhutan

The Department of Pathology and Laboratory Services at JDWNRH is the cornerstone of diagnostic services in Bhutan, serving as the apex referral laboratory for healthcare centers across the country. The department brings together specialized units — Biochemistry & Immunology, Clinical Microbiology, Haematology, Histopathology, Cytology, Blood Bank, and Sample Collection — under a unified Laboratory Management Committee, ensuring accurate, reliable, and timely diagnostic support for emergency, inpatient, and outpatient care.

 

Equipped with state-of-the-art, fully automated instrumentation and staffed by a skilled multidisciplinary team of pathologists, mirobiologist, biochemist, blood bank specialist, laboratory technologists, and technicians, the department performs over 150 test panels and a wide range of specialized investigations — from tumor markers and hormone analysis to immunohistochemistry, limted molecular diagnostics and transfusion medicine.

Quality is central to every unit’s operations. The laboratory participates in internationally recognized External Quality Assurance Programs, including the Pacific Pathology Training Centre (PPTC), New Zealand, and the National Reference Laboratory (NRL), Australia, alongside rigorous internal quality control and integration with the Electronic Patient Information System (ePIS) to minimize errors and reduce turnaround times.

 

Beyond routine diagnostics, the department plays a critical national role — supporting infection control surveillance, antimicrobial resistance research, national blood safety policy, and technical guidance to Ministry of Health various programs.

Pathology and Laboratory Services

Our department provides a comprehensive range of Pathology and Laboratory services, including:

Histopathology

Direct Immunoflourence (skin,renal biopsy )sample reffered to lalpath.

Routine biopsy

Resected specimens

Immunohistochemistry

Frozen section for intraoperative   diagnosis

Special stains (Histochemistry)

Hospital-based cancer registry

Quality assurance activity

Fine needle aspiration cytology

Gynae Cytology

Non-gynae cytology

Cell block preparation

Immunocytochemistry

National centre for gynae cytology quality assurance

Complete Blood Count

Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate

Peripheral Blood Smear

Reticulocyte Count

Body Fluid Cell Count

Glucose 6 Phosphate Dehydrogenate

Hemoparasites: Malaria Parasite RDT and microscopy, Filarial worm microscopy, LD bodies microscopy on blood.

Bone Marrow Aspiration

Flow Cytometry for hematological malignancy

Coagulation studies (PT, APTT, FIB, TT)

Quality assurance activities

Routine Biochemistry test

Endocrine & Hormonal Assays

Point-of-Care Testing (POCT)

Specialized Investigations

Metabolic & Enzyme Analysis

Urine & Fluid Analysis

Routine microscopy and microbiological culture, pathogen identifications and antibiotic sensitivity (conventional and automated) – blood, Urine, Sputum, pus, HVS, stool, CSF and other fluids , bacterial culture media preparations

Serology and infectious diseases markers – HIV, HBV, HCV, Dengue, Scrub typhus, Leptospirosis, Syphilis, Echinococcus, Leishmaniasis, HIV viral load

Parasitology – stool RE for parasites (helminths)

Routine urine analysis and microscopy

Infertility lab- semen analysis, IUI

Tuberculosis diagnosis – TB sputum microscopy and GeneXpert, Hansen ZN staining and microscopy, PPD testing

Mycology lab – KOH mount for fungal filaments, microscopy and culture (to start soon)

Infection control and environmental monitoring laboratory

Hospital water testing

Molecular diagnostics – Detection of SARS- COV-2, Viral DNA quantification of Hepatitis, Molecular detection of STIs (to start soon)

Donor screening for donation suitability, Hb test, donor blood collection

TTI testing( HIV, HBV, HCV and syphilis) and ABO& Rh testing

Donor education, motivation and retention activities and conducting blood mobile camps

Immunohematological tests: ABO& Rh tests, red cell antibodies screening and identification, antibody titration, red cell antigen tests, Autocontrol test, Direct antiglobulin tests and crossmatching tests

Blood component preparation( PRC, FFP and PCs), inventory management of the prepared components, pre-transfusion compatibility testing with patient, blood component issue to clinical areas and work up on transfusion reactions( Hemovigilance). Pre-storage whole blood filtration , post -storage PRC filteration for leucoreduction.

National Blood Centre responsible for national blood programme planning and management in support of HCCD, MoH

Daily QC of reagents, equipment , monthly QC of components

 Support national programmes, support district blood banks with blood units and also provide blood and blood products to RBA hospital Lungtephug

Research / operational studies

Teaching PG , interns and DMLT students of KGUMSB.

Introduction of Platelet Apheresis service

Particpation in International External Quality Assessment Programes in Blood Group Serology an TTIs

Conduct External Quality Assessment Scheme in Blood Group Serology for other RRH and DH blood banks

Conduct External Quality Assessment Scheme in Blood Group Serology for other RRH and DH blood banks

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