Introduction
The Pathology Clinic is the most comprehensive diagnostic pathology center in the region and functions as a reference laboratory for tertiary-level hospitals as well as surrounding provinces and districts. The clinic is staffed by:
- Two specialist pathologists
- One pathology resident
- Three laboratory technicians
- One secretary
These staff ensure uninterrupted and continuous service delivery.
The institution is the only structured pathology residency training center in Somalia, playing a major role in expanding modern laboratory capabilities and improving national cancer diagnostic capacity.
Clinic Facilities
The clinic consists of seven fully functioning rooms, including:
1. A grossing room (for macroscopic examination of tissue specimens)
2. Office of the Turkish pathology specialist
3. Office of the Somali pathology specialist
4. Resident doctor office
5. Microscopy and teaching room
6. Technician workroom where tissue sectioning and slide staining are performed
7. An actively used storage, archive, and slide-processing room
Scope of Services
The following units are fully operational within the clinic:
- Histopathology laboratory
- Cytopathology unit
- Archival and record management unit
Services not currently available in the clinic include:
l Immunohistochemistry (IHC)
l Molecular pathology preparation
l Frozen section (rapid intraoperative diagnosis)
Despite this, the clinic provides:
Emergency specimen reception
Rapid reporting for critical oncologic cases
These services are sustainably provided six days per week.
Services Provided in the Outpatient / Laboratory Unit
A. Acceptance and registration of biopsy specimens
B. Macroscopic and microscopic examination
C. Cytological evaluation including:
u Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC)
u Conventional smears
u Cavity fluid cytology
D. Endometrial and endocervical biopsy assessment
E. Screening gynecological cytology (Pap test)
F. Reporting of biopsies from:
Dermatology
Gastrointestinal tract
Genitourinary tract
Head and neck system
G. Pre-analytic consultation and clinician guidance
H. Face-to-face reporting and clinical consultation
Histopathology Services
The clinic provides diagnostic histopathology services in accordance with recognized international standards. These include:
- Routine formalin-fixed tissue processing
- Hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining
- Surgical margin assessment
- Detailed diagnostic reporting of oncologic resection materials
- Comprehensive pathology reporting
- TNM staging based on international cancer reporting systems
Advanced services not yet available
- Immunohistochemical diagnostic panels
- Special histochemical stains
Cytopathology Services
The Pathology Clinic is recognized as one of the most capable cytopathology centers in the region, offering a wide scope of diagnostic services in exfoliative and aspiration cytology.
Services Provided Include:
- Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (FNAC) of:
Thyroid gland
Breast tissue
Soft tissue masses
Lymph nodes
Other superficial and palpable structures
- Conventional smear techniques
- Gynecological cytology (Pap smear screening)
- Cytologic evaluation of body fluids, including:
Pleural effusions
Pelvic fluids
Ascitic/peritoneal fluids
- Evaluation of bronchial washings and lavage samples
Diagnostic Workflow and Approach
The clinic utilizes modern cytopathology assessment strategies, including:
- Rapid reporting for timely clinical decision-making, facilitating faster referral, staging, or treatment planning when appropriate.
Training and Academic Activities
The Pathology Clinic is a major national center for postgraduate pathology education in Somalia.
Residency Training Program
Residents benefit from:
- Structured macroscopic and microscopic practical training
- Weekly scientific and academic meetings
- Continuous supervised case-based learning
These structured educational activities support development of:
Advanced diagnostic skills
Independent interpretation abilities
Professional academic competence
Research and Collaboration
The clinic is actively involved in:
National and international research initiatives
Scientific publications and case reports
Academic collaborations with teaching hospitals, and health institutions
Its research mission includes:
Strengthening scientific output in the country
Supporting the emergence of new specialists
Contributing to global medical literature from Somalia
Service Philosophy and Core Principles
The Pathology Clinic follows a set of strategic principles that guide all diagnostic services:
1. Accurate, Rapid, and Reliable Diagnosis
Diagnostic reporting is required to be:
- Clear
- Evidence-based
- Compliant with international protocols
- Delivered in a timely manner
2. Patient Safety
Throughout the laboratory process:
- Specimen handling
- Processing
- Storage
- Reporting
- Traceability and documentation are all performed under strict quality standards to ensure patient safety.
3. Strong Clinical Communication
The clinic maintains close collaboration with:
- Surgeons
- Physicians
- Oncologists
- Radiologists
- Other specialty teams
This multidisciplinary workflow supports accurate therapeutic decision-making.
4. Academic Culture and Continuous Development
Priority is placed on:
Professional education
Practical and theoretical training
Participation in scientific exchange
Advancement of laboratory infrastructure
This philosophy ensures the clinic continues to grow in quality, technology, and academic expertise.
Overall Mission and Purpose
The primary mission of the Pathology Clinic is:
- To provide high-quality diagnostic services that form a reliable foundation for clinical decision-making
- To maintain international diagnostic standards
- To contribute to the development of a modern, competent, and trustworthy pathology service within Somalia
- To support patient care with scientifically valid, timely, and dependable pathology reporting
Through its services, the clinic aims to strengthen national healthcare infrastructure and elevate oncologic and general diagnostic capability throughout the region.
14 Aralık 2025