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Lessons from the Field
Establishing the College of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa – The Regional East Central and Southern Africa College of Pathology
Submitted: 22 January 2019 | Published: 03 June 2020
About the author(s)
Shahin Sayed, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, KenyaRudo Mutasa, Department of Pathology, University of Zimbabwe, Harare, Zimbabwe
Ephata Kaaya, Department of Pathology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
Victor Mudenda, Department of Pathology, University Teaching Hospital, Lusaka, Zambia
Erasmus Rajiv, Department of Chemical Pathology, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa
Edda Vuhahula, Department of Pathology, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, United Republic of
Jamilla Rajab, Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
Robert Lukande, Department of Pathology, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
Edwin Walong, Department of Human Pathology, University of Nairobi, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
Angela Mutuku, College of Pathologists of East Central and Southern Africa, ECSA Health Community, Arusha, Tanzania, United Republic of
Kenneth Fleming, Green Templeton College, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
Abstract
Issues: The scarcity of pathologists in sub-Saharan Africa is a well established fact that is attributable to few training programmes in the region; this is further compounded by the lack of harmonised curricula, training and exams within and without member countries.
Description of the intervention: Through the Association of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa, the College of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (COPECSA) was formed with the clear-cut goal of establishing a regional and internationally recognised college to support and inform good quality medical and laboratory practice by promoting leadership, mentorship and excellence in the safe practice of pathology through training, exams, accreditation, advocacy and professional development for health.
Lessons learnt: Since its inception in 2010, COPECSA has conferred fellowships to 120 practising pathologists in the East, Central and Southern Africa in partnership with international organisations; the college has been awarded five competitive grants and conducted several quality improvement workshops.
Recommendations: This paper describes the journey that COPECSA has made towards standardising the practice and training of pathology in the East Central and Southern Africa region.
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