IHHN Establishes Pakistan’s First Pediatric Acute Leukemia Biobank

Indus Hospital & Health Network (IHHN) has made a significant advancement in pediatric cancer care and research by establishing Pakistan’s first acute leukemia biobank. This pioneering initiative, spearheaded by Dr. Javeria Aijaz, Consultant at IHHN, was recently published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS ONE, showcasing how standard implementation science frameworks can be successfully applied in low- and middle-income countries like Pakistan.

In Pakistan, where pediatric cancer biobanking infrastructure is lacking, this biobank represents a major milestone in achieving equitable and inclusive healthcare. By addressing the lack of specimen diversity in international cancer research databases, IHHN is striving to ensure that children in the region benefit from more relevant, data-driven medical advancements.

Dr. Javeria Aijaz and her team adopted the Expert Recommendations for Implementing Change (ERIC) strategies and the EPIS framework (Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment) to guide the development and execution of the biobank. The initiative involved close collaboration among IHHN’s clinical experts, EMR and IT departments, senior leadership, the IRB, and partners from the University of North Carolina and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Using established protocols from the International Society for Biological and Environmental Repositories (ISBER) and BCNet, the team ensured the biobank aligned with international best practices while remaining sensitive to local limitations in budget, infrastructure, and operational capacity.

Since its inception two years ago, IHHN’s biobank has successfully preserved 599 acute leukemia and 1,137 solid tumor specimens. These samples are collected swiftly prior to treatment and with full informed consent. The initiative includes continuous staff training and standard quality control measures, creating a sustainable foundation for future expansion. The initiative also demonstrates the power of implementation science in driving practical, scalable solutions in global health.

This achievement reaffirms IHHN’s mission to provide free-of-cost, high-quality healthcare to underserved communities, while also contributing meaningfully to equitable medical research.

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