West Africa labs in dire need of improved turnaround timeWest Africa labs in dire need of improved turnaround time

Beyond the pillars of quality assurance and ethical integrity, how can we harness innovation to accelerate the delivery of crucial pathology results, thereby offering patients optimised diagnosis and treatment? This was the core issue addressed during a panel session at the Anatomic Pathology Conference at Medlab West Africa 2024 in Nigeria.

During the session titled, ‘Application of Digital Pathology to Enhance Turnaround Time (TAT) in West African Anatomic Pathology Laboratories’, Ifechi Ezekobe, Chief Medical Laboratory Scientist, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, alongside Godwin Avhioro, Professor of Histochemistry and Histopathology at Delta State University, Nigeria, and moderator Daniel Osiagwu, Professor of the Department of Anatomic and Molecular Pathology at the College of Medicine, University of Lagos, discussed the need to integrate efficient and economical practices into the medical framework. Drawing a parallel with promptly responding to alarms, Ezekobe stressed the adverse effects of prolonged wait times for diagnostic outcomes, where patients may progress to advanced disease stages before receiving necessary follow-up care, thereby diminishing treatment efficacy.

Central discussions revolved around the infrastructural impediments to technology adoption in the region, the urgent necessity for staff training and capacity building, regulatory considerations, collaborative opportunities, and the profound impact on patient care. Moderated by Prof. Osiagwu, the panel session emphasised the need for innovative solutions tailored to local infrastructure constraints, emphasising education, regulatory frameworks, and collaborative partnerships as pivotal in surmounting barriers and harnessing the potential of digital pathology to enhance diagnostic efficiency and ultimately preserve lives in West Africa.

Adebiyi Mutiyat Olufunmilayo, a representative of the pathology department at Federal Medical Centre Abeokuta, echoed the sentiment that the introduction of digital pathology marked a crucial stride in addressing these challenges, ensuring timely access to vital information for patients' healthcare journeys. She shared: "The urgency of incorporating efficient and cost-effective practices into the medical system to minimise patient waiting times is very important. You can imagine a patient might have already gotten into stage four of cancer while awaiting laboratory results. the treatment or anything will not be efficient at that time anymore.”

Expanding on this, a subsequent panel delved into the significance of incorporating novel immunohistochemistry panels in early cancer diagnosis. This was moderated by histopathology scientist Dr. Jonathan Madukwe, with panelists including pathologists Dr. Izuchukwu Achusi, Habibat Audu, and Prof. Charles Anunobi.

Dr. Madukwe emphasised: “Technology, especially digital pathology, has revolutionised medical practice by reshaping mindsets and enhancing diagnostic precision, opening avenues for personalised treatment and therapeutic innovation." He delved into the evolution of diagnostic procedures, highlighting technology's role in uncovering previously overlooked diagnoses and enhancing service delivery.

Furthermore, he explored digital pathology's myriad applications, from diagnostics to therapeutics, including its role in expediting drug discovery and facilitating personalised treatment modalities. Additionally, he touched upon the synergy between validation scientists and informatics experts in translating technological advancements into clinical practice, particularly in developing molecularly sensitive antibodies for enhanced diagnostics.

Following the engaging conferences, panel sessions, and discussions, experts eagerly transitioned to the exhibition area, where vendor companies showcased their latest products and solutions at Medlab West Africa.

After the enriching conferences, panel sessions, and discussions, a tangible manifestation of the discussions' outcomes and potential actionable steps are anticipated.

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