The Rwanda Society of Pathologists has decried lack of enough pathologists and haematologists as well as the lack of equipment in the country.Pathology is the study and diagnosis of disease. Hematology, is the study of blood, the blood-forming organs and blood diseases.According to Dr Fabien Ntaganda, the legal representative of the Rwanda Society of Pathologists, Haematology skills were still low. Hospitals still have less than basic haematological facilities and only one automated Full Blood Count Machine.“Haematological diseases are a reality. The cost for specialised tests is unaffordable,” Ntaganda said, speaking at a meeting called by the society in Kigali yesterday.Dr Joseph Nibarere, who represented the Director of Clinical Services in the Ministry of Health, said there were plans to train more clinicians and researchers.“We are working with the education and research unit to start training more personnel,” he said.Prof Justin Wane, the head of Pathology Department at King Faisal Hospital, said they will start in-house training for clinicians. “It is the duty of pathologists to train technologists, but there is need to get better training with the help of the Ministry of Health,” Wane continued.Sysmex, one the contractors supplying medical equipment in Rwanda, are partnering with the pathologist society to improve the skills and know how in the field. Dr Marion Munster, Manager for Medical and Scientific Affairs at Sysmex, said they were not only sharing scientific knowledge on how to operate the equipment supplied, but they also help technicians interpret the results.
