1. Sustainable Development of Pathology in Sub-Saharan Africa: An Example From Ghana.
- Author
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Stalsberg H, Adjei EK, Owusu-Afriyie O, and Isaksen V
- Subjects
- Africa South of the Sahara, Autopsy economics, Autopsy instrumentation, Autopsy standards, Cytological Techniques economics, Cytological Techniques instrumentation, Cytological Techniques standards, Developing Countries, Frozen Sections economics, Frozen Sections instrumentation, Frozen Sections standards, Ghana, Hospital Costs, Hospitals, Teaching economics, Hospitals, University, Humans, Immunohistochemistry economics, Immunohistochemistry instrumentation, Immunohistochemistry standards, Internship and Residency economics, Internship and Residency standards, Medical Laboratory Personnel economics, Norway, Pathology, Clinical economics, Pathology, Clinical standards, Pathology, Surgical economics, Pathology, Surgical standards, Workforce, Capacity Building economics, Medical Laboratory Personnel education, Models, Economic, Models, Educational, Pathology Department, Hospital economics, Pathology Department, Hospital standards, Pathology, Clinical education, Pathology, Surgical education
- Abstract
Context: - Pathology services are poorly developed in Sub-Saharan Africa. Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana, asked for help from the pathology department of the University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø., Objective: - To reestablish surgical pathology and cytology in an African pathology department in which these functions had ceased completely, and to develop the department into a self-supporting unit of good international standard and with the capacity to train new pathologists., Design: - Medical technologists from Kumasi were trained in histotechnology in Norway, they were returned to Kumasi, and they produced histologic slides that were temporarily sent to Norway for diagnosis. Two Ghanaian doctors received pathology training for 4 years in Norway. Mutual visits by pathologists and technologists from the 2 hospitals were arranged for the introduction of immunohistochemistry and cytology. Pathologists from Norway visited Kumasi for 1 month each year during 2007-2010. Microscopes and immunohistochemistry equipment were provided from Norway. Other laboratory equipment and a new building were provided by the Ghanaian hospital., Results: - The Ghanaian hospital had a surgical pathology service from the first project year. At 11 years after the start of the project, the services included autopsy, surgical pathology, cytopathology, frozen sections, and limited use of immunohistochemistry, and the department had 10 residents at different levels of training., Conclusions: - A Ghanaian pathology department that performed autopsies only was developed into a self-supported department with surgical pathology, cytology, immunohistochemistry, and frozen section service, with an active residency program and the capacity for further development that is independent from assistance abroad.
- Published
- 2017
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