EAC HOSTS 12TH BI-ANNUAL CONFERENCE OF THE ASSOCIATION OF PATHOLOGISTS OF EAST,CENTRAL AND SOUTHERN AFRICA

President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council ,His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein makes his remarks as Arusha Regional Commissioner,Mr. Magesa Mulongo first left Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Hon Dr. Seif Rashid, Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Enos Bukuku and The President of APECSA and Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Edda Vuhahula pay attention.

EAC Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Enos Bukuku address the conference.

EAC Headquarters Arusha, Tanzania, 20 August 2014:The 12th Bi-annual Conference of the Association of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (APECSA) organized by Association of Pathologists of Tanzania (APT) opened today at East African Community headquarters in Arusha ,Tanzania.

The 20-22 August 2014 Conference brought together the Association of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa; the East African Division of the International Academy of Pathology; the British Division of the International Academy of Pathology and the Royal College of Pathologists-UK.

Speaking during the opening ceremony the President of Zanzibar and Chairman of the Revolutionary Council ,His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein said APECSA has a crucial role of ensuring continuous Professional Development in all Pathology disciplines.

"I believe, Pathologists should take a leading role in the delivery of quality health care services in all disciplines of medicine''

H.E Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein urged the conference to come up with proposals and strategies on how good laboratory practice can adequately support efforts to provide optimal quality health care services and clinical management of patients.

The President of Zanzibar challenged Association of Pathologists of Tanzania (APT) to properly planned training of pathologists, by creating conducive environment to attract young doctors to pursue post graduate studies in pathology.

President Shein reiterated the issue of training of pathologists should go hand in hand with the development of services in health institutions, such as provision of modern well equipped laboratories and trained personnel.

He called for greater attention and resolute actions by development planners include planners in the Health Ministries, Planning Commissions, Higher Education authorities, Ministries of Finance and others to realize the significant contribution of pathology services.

His Excellency Dr. Ali Mohamed Shein implored on regional pathologists to be more patriotic and have greater perseverance, determination to serve and devotion to their profession. "I am glad to note that many of our practicing pathologists are in this class of professionals''

Mr. President underscored the small inadequate number of Pathologists in the region, not deter efforts to institute quality assurance measures for improving the profession and laboratory services. He commended the Association for the initiative to establish a College of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (COPECSA) under the umbrella of APECSA.

Meanwhile in the light of improving laboratory services in Tanzania, H.E Ali Mohamed Dr.Shein received a donation of 400 Hepatitis B and C test kits for both Tanzania Mainland and Zanzibar from Standard Diagnostics Africa Company.

The test kits will be used for screening and check-up laboratory personnel who are always at the frontline in the war against diseases and are at great risk of acquiring infection in the course of their routine work. These test kits will go a long way to provide this essential requirement, added the President of Revolutionary Government of Zanzibar.

The EAC Secretary General Amb. DR. Richard Sezibera, in his speech delivered by Deputy Secretary General in charge of Planning and Infrastructure, Dr Enos Bukuku said Bi-Annual Conference comes at time when the East African Community integration process gathers great momentum and, indeed, making tremendous strides in all the pillars of the integration process.

"I am delighted that the Association of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa chose to focus on role of laboratory services in quality health care" as the theme for this meeting. The state of laboratory services in the EAC Partner States has a strong bearing on the quality of the health services therein.

He urged the pathologists to re-dedicate their commitments as pathologists and laboratory scientists to reclaim their position as the custodians of the practice of medicine. People that are dedicated to the concept of total quality constantly strive for excellence and continuous quality improvement in all that they do. Like the saying goes "Your medicine is as good as your pathology" stated Dr Bukuku

The 12th Bi-annual Conference of the Association of Pathologists of East, Central and Southern Africa (APECSA) is being attended by among others; Minister of Health and Social Welfare, Hon Dr. Seif Rashid (MP)from United Republic of Tanzania; Arusha Regional Commissioner,Mr. Magesa Mulongo; The President of APECSA and Chairperson of the Organizing Committee, Dr. Edda Vuhahula Senior Government Officials and Development Partners and staff of EAC Secretariat.