By George M.O. Williams
The University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospital Complex (USLTHC) has on Thursday, July 11, 2024, handed over a cutting-edge Tissue Processor Machine donated by the American Society of Clinical Pathology to the histopathology department of Connaught Hospital.
A Tissue Processor Machine is a critical piece of histopathology and pathology laboratories, designed to automate and streamline the process of tissue specimen. The machine operates by sequentially subjecting tissue samples to series of chemical treatment, including fixation, dehydration, clearing and infiltration with parafinn and other embedding media.
It should be noted that the consultant at Connaught hospital is a member of America Society of Clinical Pathology. Upon his employment in Sierra Leone, he made a request to the Society that his new workspace do not have the required equipment, so the society sequentially donated that Tissue Processor Machine to the country.
The donated cutting-edge Tissue Processor Machine
Receiving the Equipment, the Consultant Pathologist of Connaught Hospital, Professor Babatunde Duduyemi said that tissue processing is one of the most important areas of pathology, adding that having the high standard tissue processor machine would make their work easier.
He emphasized that the machine would add value to service delivery as it will automatically improve the outcome of their job as people rely on Connaught as the only government hospital across the country to process tissues.
Professor Duduyemi recounted that they have been challenged to use the outdated tissue processor machine that has caused many delays, adding but that with the cutting- edge technology they will be processing 100 samples at the same time.
He cited that the machine would guide health-workers better as what treatment they should administer to patients whose tissues would have been processed.
The Chairperson, Board of Administration of the University of Sierra Leone Teaching Hospital Complex (USLTHC), Dr. Sonia Spencer said that the tissue processor machine is the first of its kind in the sub-Saharan Africa.
She recounted that the Board would continue to provide healthcare services, provide undergraduate and postgraduate training for healthcare professionals and promote and undertake health-related research in a bid to advance medical knowledge.
The Hospital Care Manager, Dr. Ibrahim Kapuwa, said the equipment will improve their service delivery and build the trust of patients to solicit medical service at the hospital.