Khyber Medical University
Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
National Institute of Health
Khyber Medical University
Govt. of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
National Institute of Health
Driving Accurate Diagnostics • Strengthening Surveillance • Protecting Communities
KP's first-ever provincial public health reference laboratory — detecting diseases, preventing outbreaks, and informing health policy across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa since 2016.
About PHRL KP
The Public Health Reference Laboratory (PHRL) KP is a dedicated centre for enhancing public health through diagnostic services, research, and capacity building. It focuses on disease surveillance, outbreak response, and strengthening public health systems across the province.
Commissioned in 2016 following the Joint External Evaluation (JEE-2016) report, PHRL is the result of a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding between the Department of Health KP, the National Institute of Health (NIH) Pakistan, and Khyber Medical University (KMU) — where it is hosted at Phase-5, Hayatabad, Peshawar.
Our Laboratories
Seven dedicated sections covering molecular diagnostics, microbiology, genomics, biosafety, and mobile field testing.
Real-time PCR diagnostics for all notifiable infectious diseases — our flagship and most advanced section.
Culture, sensitivity testing, and viral serology for common infectious pathogens and AMR surveillance.
Whole genome sequencing, Sanger sequencing, and molecular epidemiology for pathogen evolution studies.
BSL-2 deployable field laboratory for outbreak response, post-disaster support, and district-level diagnostics.
Preparation and quality control of culture media for all microbiology testing sections.
Biosafety and biosecurity training for laboratory professionals across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Track Record
Conducted over 1.8 million COVID-19 PCR tests — one of the largest testing centres in KP, with peak capacity of 6,000 tests/day.
Whole genome sequencing of COVID-19 variants directly facilitated the UK's removal of travel restrictions on KP residents.
Enabled creation of 12 peripheral district-level public health laboratories across KP during the pandemic.
Deployed Mobile Lab for 62 days in District Buner post-flood, conducting 10,300+ field tests and preventing a cholera outbreak.
Officially designated as the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Reference Laboratory for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.
1.75 million+ tests performed — estimated to have saved over PKR 3 billion in healthcare costs for the province.
Partners
Pakistan — Founding partner & technical oversight
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Primary government authority
Host institution, Peshawar
IHR compliance & surveillance support
Lab quality & AMR programme
AMR surveillance & antibiogram support
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa — Operational coordination
Equipment supply & surveillance coordination