Experts highlighted the need for qualified biochemists to audit delivery of biochemistry-related results to improve healthcare during the annual conference of the Indian Association of Clinical Biochemists that concluded in the city on Sunday. About 200 delegates, including pathologists and microbiologists, attended the conference.

Organised by the Association of Clinical Biochemists of India, Pune chapter, the two-day conference was held to mark the centenary year of KEM Hospital, Pune.

“Biochemists need to constantly upgrade their knowledge about advanced technologies and modalities to deliver excellent healthcare,” said Gururaj Mutalik, former director of department of medical education and research. “In developed countries, pathologists are expected to undertake some aspects of direct clinical care, while biochemists have a greater role within the laboratory validating and reporting biochemistry results.”

“In the era of specialisation, branches like biochemistry, biophysics, biotechnology, molecular biology, molecular genetics, genetic engineering, neurobiology, cell biology, etc. have emerged. All these branches demand strong foundation in chemistry and physical science,” he said.

V L Yemul, medical administrator of KEM Hospital, said, “Biochemistry has undergone a tremendous transformation over the past few decades. New methods of research have paved the way for better explanations about biological processes. It has spread to agriculture, environment and health sciences, including clinical and forensic science. New drugs, preventive medicines and remedy for many ailments are found with the help of biochemistry.”