Ahmed Kalebi
Principal Pathologist, Founder and Executive Chairman of Dr. Kalebi Labs (DKL) Limited
Biggest challenge in pathology? The most significant challenge facing the pathology field right now is ensuring that everyone who needs our essential services can access them. Pathology laboratory testing is critical to public health, yet billions of patients and their healthcare providers lack access to these services when they need them – from preventive and promotive screening laboratory services to advanced diagnostic testing services. Unfortunately, inequity in pathology services exist across the globe, whether between high and low income countries, and within individual communities. These disparities stem from lack of accessibility, availability, acceptance and the quality of pathology laboratory services.
Exciting developments and trends? It is the emergence of high-quality, low-cost point-of-care testing (POCT). This innovation allows the public to access an increasing portfolio of essential screening and diagnostic tests from the comfort of their homes through self-testing or on-the-spot at their healthcare provider facilities. This eliminates the long wait times associated with shipping samples to central labs. Powered by advancing technology, including miniaturization and information technology, the emerging trend in POCT is a game changer in pathology, regardless of the socioeconomic context of the patients and healthcare systems. We witnessed the impact of COVID-19 rapid tests and self-testing during the pandemic. More needs to be done to invest and improve POCT which will enhance accessibility, availability, acceptability and quality of testing to billions of people across the world.
Solving problems… One of the biggest problems I faced during the early phase of the pandemic was extensive doubts about the quality of laboratory tests and interpretation of COVID-19 PCR test results. At the time, a lot was unknown about COVID-19 while simultaneously many conspiracy theories abounded around the virus. I weathered the storm that was brought to the fore on national TV and public discourse by committing to scientific principles, quality management systems and diligently following good clinical laboratory practice. This ultimately vindicated our test results and won the confidence of healthcare providers and the general public. This experience really boosted my belief and confidence in sound pathology laboratory science extending to other areas of pathology beyond COVID-19.
