PGI Chandigarh Unlocks Future of Paediatric Care with Next-Gen Genetic Sequencing Facility

In a groundbreaking move set to revolutionize paediatric healthcare and research, the Postgraduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGI) in Chandigarh has issued a tender for state-of-the-art Next-Gen Genome and Exome Sequencing equipment. This initiative marks a significant leap forward, promising to establish a cutting-edge facility dedicated to rapidly diagnosing rare genetic disorders in children.

Currently, families grappling with unexplained conditions in their children often face a daunting journey.

The lack of advanced diagnostic facilities within India frequently necessitates sending precious samples to laboratories in the United States, Europe, Singapore, or Germany. This process is not only prohibitively expensive, costing anywhere from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 2 lakh per test, but also agonizingly slow, with results often taking several months to return.

The emotional and financial toll on families is immense, compounded by the delay in providing timely and effective treatment.

PGI Chandigarh’s visionary project aims to dramatically change this scenario. By bringing advanced genome and exome sequencing capabilities in-house, the institute anticipates a massive reduction in diagnostic turnaround time—from several months to mere weeks.

This expedited process is critical, as early diagnosis can significantly impact the efficacy of treatment and intervention for children suffering from complex genetic conditions.

The scope of this new facility is vast and ambitious. It will primarily focus on identifying the genetic underpinnings of a wide array of paediatric disorders, including intellectual disability, developmental delay, various forms of epilepsy, neuromuscular disorders, metabolic conditions, congenital malformations, and specific syndromes.

For countless families, this facility will offer a beacon of hope, providing clarity and direction in what often feels like an inexplicable medical mystery.

Beyond direct patient care, the establishment of this advanced sequencing centre will be a boon for medical research. It will empower clinicians and scientists at PGI to delve deeper into the genetic basis of these challenging diseases, paving the way for a better understanding of disease mechanisms, identifying novel therapeutic targets, and ultimately developing more effective treatment strategies tailored to the unique genetic profiles of individual patients.

This strategic investment by PGI Chandigarh underscores its commitment to leveraging cutting-edge technology for the betterment of public health, particularly for its youngest and most vulnerable patients.

It's a testament to the institute's dedication to innovation, aiming to alleviate the burden on families and propel India to the forefront of genetic diagnostics and paediatric research.