Department of Parasitology

Parasitology

What this department covers

The Department of Parasitology was established with the aim of generating and disseminating scientific knowledge relating to parasitology. The department works to create awareness among the public about the risks and economic losses associated with parasites and plays a key role through education, research and diagnostic services. It has undergraduate and postgraduate laboratories and provides field-level diagnostic facilities for protozoan, helminthic and ecto-parasitic infections.

The department is engaged in basic and applied research to better understand parasitic problems affecting various hosts and to develop effective approaches for their control. Its diagnostic facilities support livestock farmers, Bahawalpur Zoo and field-level veterinary services. The department also aims to establish advanced laboratories in immunoparasitology and molecular parasitology to strengthen research and diagnostic capabilities.

• Education and research in veterinary and medical parasitology
• Diagnosis and control of protozoan, helminthic and ecto-parasitic infections
• Research on host-parasite relationships and parasite control strategies
• Development of advanced molecular, immunoparasitology and diagnostic facilities

The department's mission focuses on controlling economically important parasitic diseases, strengthening One Health approaches to zoonotic and food-borne parasitic diseases, and developing skilled parasitologists who can contribute nationally and internationally. Future initiatives include establishing a National Institute of Parasitology and Zoonotic Diseases, a molecular centre for vector and vector-borne diseases, commercial diagnostic tests and kits, antiparasitic vaccines, biological control approaches, ethnoveterinary practices and integrated parasite-control strategies.