Experts say sub-Saharan Africa needs more pathologists

Health experts have called for more skilled pathologists in sub-Saharan Africa to address the region's critical shortage of such doctors.

They made the call on Monday at the opening of the biannual meeting of the Association of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (APECSA) in the Rwandan capital Kigali.

Scheduled from Oct. 24 to 26, the meeting has brought together about 200 pathologists from sub-Saharan Africa and beyond.

Health officials believe that the region's lack of pathologists is hindering the ability of medical laboratories in the region to properly diagnose and classify diseases.

"We need more training programs and incentives to increase the number of skilled pathologists," said Diane Gashumba, Rwandan minister of health.

Sebastian Lucas, professor of clinical histopathology at Britain's St Thomas' Hospital, said Africa needs more pathologists, clinical chemists, and medical laboratory scientists who are trained to the highest standards of laboratory medicine.

"High-quality pathologists mean professional medical care to patients with complicated disease cases. More pathologists are needed in the region to examine samples and interpret medical laboratory tests in order to ensure patients receive proper treatment," he said.

Lucas noted that most developing countries face critical shortage of pathologists and he called for governments to promote pathology education and training.

Pathology studies the causes and effects of diseases and is the branch of medicine that deals with laboratory examination of samples of body tissue for diagnostic or forensic purposes.

Founded in 1990, APECSA is a professional body that seeks to advance pathology and its training in East, Central and Southern Africa. Endit