Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
Electronic Journal of the International Federation of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, cilt.37, sa.1, ss.84-96, 2026 (Scopus)
Introduction: Clinical laboratories play a vital role in healthcare but contribute significantly to environmental challenges through high energy consumption, water usage, and waste generation. Pakistan’s healthcare sector faces challenges, including limited funding and inadequate awareness of sustainable practices. There is little data on the extent to which clinical laboratories in Pakistan have implemented green practices, making it crucial to assess current efforts and identify barriers to adoption. This study aims to assess the adoption of sustainability and green lab practices in clinical laboratories across Pakistan. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted by the Chemical Pathology section at Aga Khan University (AKU) using a structured questionnaire. The survey comprised 13 sections to evaluate sustainability practices, covering demographics, current green practices (energy efficiency, water conservation, waste management, etc.), barriers to implementation, environmental and cost impacts, and future goals. It assessed laboratories’ existing efforts, challenges, and aspirations for improving sustainability. The survey was distributed via Google Forms to major laboratories across Pakistan via WhatsApp and email. Data was analyzed using Excel (Microsoft Corporation, 2018) software. Results: A total of 12 laboratories across the country, from the capital Islamabad and all provincial capitals participated in the survey. Key findings include widespread adoption of energy-efficient lighting (75%) and electronic reporting (91.7%), but limited use of water-saving technologies (8.3%) and renewable energy (0%). Barriers like limited resources (58.3%), lack of staff awareness (50%), and financial constraints (41.7%) hindered green practices, though 41.7% reported moderate cost savings. Future goals focused on green certifications (58.3%), recycling programs (50%), and energy-efficient upgrades (41.7%). Conclusion: Our findings underscore the urgent need for structured sustainability policies, financial incentives, and educational programs to enhance green laboratory practices in Pakistan. While some progress has been made, significant gaps remain in energy efficiency, waste management, and regulatory compliance