PESHAWAR: Non-appointment of a molecular biologist has turned out to be a major hurdle to the launch of the first DNA laboratory in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

“The DNA lab to be established at Khyber Medical College Peshawar only needs the services of a professional molecular biologist to start operations. Modern machines made in the US have been acquired and the infrastructure is in place but the lab has been awaiting launch since September last year,” a source in the health department said.

Read: Fresh move to set up DNA lab in Peshawar

The source said the post of molecular biologist had been advertised thrice since early 2014 but the appointment wasn’t to it and thus, delaying the lab’s launch.

He said the government was losing warranty period of Rs45 million machines due to delay in the start of the lab approved by the government in 2013,” he said.

The source said the warranty period began the day machines and equipment were bought and thereafter, they should have been installed and operated.

Also read: KP’s first DNA testing lab to start operation next month

Non-appointment of molecular biologist a major hurdle

“If there’s a fault, manufacturers are bound to rectify it within 15 months,” he said.

Another official in the know said the health department had lost eight months and that there were no indications that a BPS-18 microbiologist would be appointed for the lab in near future.

He said the DNA testing was a relatively new phenomenon and that molecular biologists were needed to do it.

Also read: CSI Lahore: US forensics big shot comes home to help Pakistan

The official said the health department had received applications from around 30 candidates for the post and that only four of them were shortlisted but the appointment wasn’t made.

He said the molecular biologist would also make other plans besides identifying the number of staff and DNA analysts required by the lab.

The official said those shortlisted were residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but worked in Punjab and that they applied for the post as they wanted to work in the city.

Another official said the matter had been brought to the notice of PTI chairman Imran Khan, who had already accepted the invitation to inaugurate the facility.

Also read: CM opens Sindh’s first DNA lab

He said the PTI chief had asked health minister Shahram Tarakai to coordinate with the Khyber Medical College Peshawar representatives about the project’s early execution.

The official, however, said Imran Khan’s directives had fallen on deaf ears as there was no progress on the lab plan and that there were fears that the machinery and new infrastructure would rust away if they’re not used immediately.

He said the PTI government accepted the proposal of Khyber Medical College to establish DNA lab on its premises in view of the arrival of terrorism victims for DNA test besides strengthening routine investigative system to provide scientific evidence to courts in criminal cases but the project had been delayed only because of the unavailability of molecular biologist.

The official said the Khyber Medical College had extended services at the forensic science and toxicology department not only to put up a DNA lab but work was also in progress to set up cold storage facility with a capacity for 50 bodies.

He said the department could take care of six bodies and perform six autopsies.

The official said DNA test was needed not only to investigate bomb blasts and suicide attacks but also to look into general crimes.

The health minister was not available despite repeated attempts.

Published in Dawn, May 10th, 2015

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