INTERNATIONAL Pathology Day is held annually, in the second week of November.
Pathologists don’t only perform autopsies – these medical healthcare providers also perform laboratory tests that help them to diagnose and detect diseases through the study of human body tissues and fluids.
Most pathologists train in clinical and anatomical pathology, but they might specialise in clinical pathology, which is the study of blood and body fluids, or anatomic pathology, which includes tissue, organs and tumours, cytopathology, which involves cellular changes, forensic pathology, being the carrying out of autopsies, and molecular pathology, meaning the study of genes and genetics.
ALSO READ: 16 Day of Activism: Reach out for help with Lifeline
The History of International Pathology Day
The Royal College of Pathologists initiated International Pathology Day eight years ago, in 2014. The Royal College is a British organisation, with a large national and international membership. It hosts an annual conference on this day with the aim of educating and expressing ideas and knowledge.
The Royal College chose the theme of ‘Pathology: Past, Present and Future’ for 2022 and moved their formal celebration of the day to June, to fall in line with their Diamond Jubilee. A conference was held early in November with the theme of ‘Adapting Laboratory Medicine to Global Developments and Challenges’.
ALSO READ: Pinetown SAPS station gets a revamp
The SA pathology service we all know
One clinical pathology service provider that all South Africans are familiar with is the SANBS or the South African National Blood Service.
This NPO provides blood and blood products across the country. Blood Donor Clinics are nationally located and fulfil the essential service of collecting whole blood, plasma and platelet donations and dispensing them to those who need them most.
Whole blood donations are used for patients experiencing trauma and truly give them the gift of life. As only 1% of the country’s inhabitants donate blood, every drop is a precious resource. One whole blood donation can save up to three lives.
Plasma is the liquid part of the blood, in which the red and white blood cells and platelets are suspended, making up roughly 55% of the volume. Factors found in plasma are made into medicinal products used to treat rare chronic diseases and disorders and cases of burns, trauma and shock.
Platelets are cell fragments in the blood, which collect at an injury site to prevent bleeding. Platelets are used in treatments for some cancers, marrow and organ transplants, surgery, trauma, and aplastic anemia.
Anyone can donate blood if they are heavier than 50kg, between 16 and 65, in good health, lead a low-risk lifestyle, and have eaten in the previous four hours.
Westwood Mall Donor Collection Clinic is open seven days a week: Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 17:00, Saturday from 08:00 to 15:00, and Sunday from 09:00 to 15:00.
Enquiries: 031 719 6841.
