Haematology Strengthening

Haematology is the study of the cause, prognosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases related to blood. It involves treating diseases that affect the production of blood and its components, such as blood cells, haemoglobin, blood proteins, bone marrow, platelets, blood vessels, spleen, and the mechanism of coagulation. Some example diseases include Anaemia, Leukaemia, Multiple Myeloma, Platelet disorders, and Coagulopathies.

Haematology Services includes:

Testing:

  • Full Blood Count
  • Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rates
  • Reticulocyte Counts
  • Blood film examination and interpretation
  • Bleeding and Coagulation Disorders
  • Thrombosis and Thrombophilia

Detecting Haematological disease states listed below by direct microscopic blood film examination in:

  • Anaemia
  • Acute and Chronic Leukaemia
  • Blood Parasites: Malaria and Microfilaria detection White Cell Anomalies
  • Platelet disorders
  • Myeloproliferative Diseases
  • Bacterial and Viral infections
  • Thalassaemia and Haemoglobinopathy
  • Hodgkins and Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
  • Multiple Myeloma and Dysproteinaemia
  • Bone marrow abnormalities
  • Myelodysplastic Syndromes
  • Haemolytic Disease of the Newborn
  • Thrombosis and Thrombophilia

Haematology continues to be the weakest performing discipline across Pacific Island laboratories due to a devastating lack of expertise and interpretative skill. Blood film examination and disease interpretation is a continual learning process built over time and awareness of specific cell indicators.

The PPTC recognises the substantial investment required to effectively strengthen diagnostic Haematology services provided in the Pacific, by mentoring and coaching suitable local staff towards full competence and expertise in blood cell recognition and disease presentation.

The combined application of instrumentation and microscopic analysis brings the final reported result. It is therefore essential to have primary FBC analysers with secondary FBC backup machines along with televised and non-televised microscopes, Hematek staining machines and Coagulation analysers.

What PPTC Offers:

The PPTC provides teaching and specialised training through:

  • In-country consultancy visits.
  • The PPTC Diploma programme.
  • The PPTC EQA programme.
  • The Wellington-based course runs for six weeks through June to August each year.
  • New Zealand student attachments to accredited laboratories.

PPTC consultants also advise on internal QC processes, equipment purchases, procurement of items, the incorporation of laboratory information systems and the sourcing of laboratory consumables.