The Department of Biochemistry got its independent identity in the year 1972 as it separated from its parent department of Physiology as per the guidelines of MCI. Dr.F.R.Billimoria was the first head of this department. Under his guidance the department got recognized for postgraduate (M.Sc. & PhD) courses.He was instrumental in starting clinical laboratory services like blood sugar, serum electrolytes etc for our hospital patients.
Dr. Neela Patil took over from Dr.Billimoria in 1994. She expanded clinical laboratory services like complete LFT’s, RFT’s etc to all critical care areas of the hospital. She was also instrumental in preparing MCQ bank and Ist MBBS biochemistry journal for MUHS.
After superannuration of Dr. Neeela Patil, Dr.Pramod Ingale took over as Head of the Department in Nov.2007.The present emphasis is on stringent quality control measures in clinical laboratory, documentation of all protocols and its implementation.
The department from its birth till this date stands unique and outstanding because this department is a service department besides a teaching department. The department handles a huge workload of laboratory investigations.Approximately 5 lac tests are peformed every year. Few teaching staff members alonwith SSO & JSO constantly monitor quality control in the laboratory. This has really placed our laboratory on a high ranking in external quality control programme.
Efforts are also made to further streamline teaching activities so as to avoid individual bias. The clinical laboratory of UHC Dharavi is under directcontrol of Dept. of Biochemistry.