Pakistan has marked a proud moment in its medical and academic history with the international publication of the Textbook of Clinical Phlebotomy, the first of its kind authored from Pakistan. The book represents a landmark step toward strengthening the country’s capacity in laboratory sciences and allied health education.

The Textbook of Clinical Phlebotomy, authored by Dr. Usman Waheed (Assoc Prof, Islamabad Medical & Dental College), Dr. Maqsood Ahmad (Microbiologist, Punjab Health Department), Dr. Noor e Saba (Haematologist, KP Health Department), and Dr. Akhlaaq Wazeer (Microbiologist, AJK Health Department), has been published from Sri Lanka under the banner of the South Asian Association of Medical Laboratory Scientists (SAAMLS). The publication symbolizes regional cooperation in scientific education and sets a new standard for professional excellence in laboratory medicine across South Asia.

The official launch ceremony was held in Colombo, graced by the presence of the Director General of Health Services, Sri Lanka; senior representatives of the Sri Lankan Ministry of Health; and delegates from Cyprus, the Netherlands, Lithuania, the UK, Pakistan and other South Asian countries.

This first-ever comprehensive textbook on phlebotomy offers both theoretical and practical insight into blood collection, pre-analytical quality, biosafety, and ethical standards, aligned with World Health Organization (WHO) and ISO 15189:2022 international guidelines.

The book carries forewords from leading Pakistani and European experts, including Maj. Gen. (Retd.) Prof. Muhammad Aslam, Vice Chancellor, City University Islamabad; Prof. Dr. Khalid Hassan, Chief of Pathology, Islamabad Medical & Dental College; and Joana Bikulcienė, a public health specialist from Lithuania and former CEO of the Lithuanian Blood Transfusion Services. The textbook has also been reviewed by international experts from Germany, Australia, China, and Iraq, ensuring academic rigour and global relevance.

The publication features messages from Health Ministers of Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Balochistan, as well as from the Director General, Pakistan National Accreditation Council (PNAC), all commending this milestone as a national achievement that reflects Pakistan’s growing academic and scientific stature in the region.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Usman Waheed, the lead author, dedicated the publication to Pakistan’s medical laboratory professionals and educators, emphasising that phlebotomy is not just a technical procedure but the foundation of diagnostic accuracy and patient safety. He thanked the Sri Lankan Health Ministry and the Sri Lankan High Commission in Pakistan for valuable cooperation.

This landmark publication is a source of national pride, showcasing Pakistan’s emerging leadership in allied health education and international collaboration in medical sciences.