Pathcare’s World Class Clinical Diagnosis to Save Nigeria Billions

PathCare, a specialized medical diagnostic centre in Lagos, has said that it could save the country billions of dollars expended on overseas trips for medical solutions using their world class IT facilities.

Annually, Nigerians seek better medical treatment abroad ranging from terminal diseases to tropical sickness like malaria. Medical practitioners have also had to relocate abroad to practice due to dearth of standard laboratories and equipment in local hospitals.

Tens of patients die due to poor diagnosis of ailments.

Dr. Pamela Ajayi, managing director, PathCare Nigeria, told Nigeria CommunicationsWeek that the facility was working to ensure Nigerians ensure the best of heathcare, especially in the field of pathology locally.

At the heart of PathCare’s solution is its collaboration and use of the world class medical software, Medical Information Technology (Meditech), which is the largest electronic medical records (EMR) software company in the United States.

“Meditech is a robust system that integrates all the aspects of a medical facility into a single platform. PathCare Nigeria has made some enhancements to the use of Meditech for better delivery of value to our clients,” said Dr. Ajayi.

Dr. Ajayi stated that PathCare is the first ISO (ISO 15189) accredited pathology services in the West African sub-region.

“We are committed to providing fast, accurate and reliable results by adhering to strict quality assurance programmes and constantly monitoring its operations.”

According to her, the centre was set up by Nigerian pathology experts, in response to the increasing demand for a wider range of diagnostic tests that give accurate and reliable results. “With our modern computerized state-of-the-art laboratory, and a team of highly trained and dedicated professionals, PathCare has significantly reduced the need for Nigerians to travel abroad to gain access to accurate testing. We offer the widest range of tests in Nigeria.”

Nigeria CommunicationsWeek’s findings also show the firm has in place secured data management system in place. A recent Symantec study shows that data breach is commonplace in work environment. In the US, patients’ personal data have become targets of cyber-terrorist.

“Authentication is required for any staff that uses Meditech and access levels are also strictly controlled based on the role of the staff,” said Ajayi.

Security policies also include restrictions on access to clients’ data base. “Meditech is password as well as accessed control. Functions  of staff can be easily restricted and controlled depending on seniority and training. Access levels of staff are strictly controlled.”
 
With facilities spread across several cities including– Lagos, Abuja, Enugu, Ibadan, Kaduna, Port Harcourt and Warri, PathCare founders believe they can help make Nigeria a ‘health tourist’ destination in West Africa.

Its biggest selling point is the ability to send results to clients via electronic posting using a stable platform which is regularly upgraded. Access levels of staff are strictly controlled with positive sample identification using barcodes checks results being entered warn of abnormal integrated quality control.

The entire system is highly automated via instrument interfaces and host query monitored. It‘s collaboration with technical partners in South Africa gives PathCare addition boost to access highly skilled personnel at short notice.