The Department of Pathology was established in 1983, along with the commencement of the Hospital Universiti Sains Malaysia. It was a big department that provided, basic histo- and cytopathology services, haematology and blood bank services. Later, the laboratory expanded, providing special staining and immunohistochemical tests. In 1991, a Human Genetic Unit was developed. However, in 1998, the Haematology Unit and Human Genetic Unit became independent units and were upgraded into a department status, Department of Haematology & Transfusion Medicine, and Human Genome Centre, respectively.
I would like to welcome you to the Department of Pathology, School of Medical Sciences, Health Campus, Universiti Sains Malaysia. In parallel with our mission and vision, our department has move forward. In the past, many people have no idea what pathologists actually do. They thought the pathology was only part of the undergraduate or pre-clinical subject or just a basic science subjects that need to be memorized, or they immediately think of a doctor performing autopsies. However, they may be connected with pathologists directly or indirectly in many ways: the precise diagnosis of a great deal of diseases are made based on the work of pathologists, and in these cases their function is essential to the successful work of doctors in hospitals.
Today, the pathology has become a very important subject, not only for under-graduates and master of pathology, but also in general hospital services especially surgical based related. Pathological findings often mean the first and foremost step towards recovery. Besides making diagnoses, pathologists support the hospital team (oncologists, surgeons/physicians) by their expertise. We’re the doctors behind the screen. That is why the department of pathology has undergone a great transformation and expansion throughout its years of service till today.
Other than teaching/ learning activities, we also participate in various research activities and cancer research projects. In addition, our laboratory has achieved the accreditation and has been recognized as one of the training centers with a good medical laboratory services in accordance to the standards MS ISO 15189:2022. Our aim is to provide an excellent patient care by comprehensive, good quality laboratory testing and patient-focused expert consultation. Patients’ safety is our concern. This mission is supported by continuous quality improvement and leadership in education. Our staff are our most valuable resource and these were achievable with the strength of dedicated staffs working together as a team and one big family.
Our diagnostic services include histopathology with special stain/immunohistochemistry units and cytopathology unit. Frozen section service is also part of our diagnostic services. As a training center for undergraduates and post-graduates, the interesting specimens are prepared in the jar for the learning purposes and kept in the museum. We also provide a link to the pathology museum web site containing images to help the students to understand pathology. The laboratory bench has become our post-graduate training to be future pathologists. In addition, we have a research laboratory /unit which is dedicated to our research and molecular works. Most of the master of sciences and PhD candidates who involve in pathology work will go through this special unit. We also have a forensic unit, which was formerly known as mortuary. Today, the HPE and cytopathology reports are computerized using the Laboratory Information System (LIS), and can be accessed from the wards and clinics. Interestingly, our LIS is customized created in accordance to our MS ISO15189:2022 requirement. Currently, we are working into paperless histo-and-cytopathology reports.
We aim to expand our services especially in diagnostic molecular pathology, and perhaps one day becomes a cancer center for the east coast of Peninsular Malaysia. We are also hoping to continue collaborating with our colleagues nationwide to expand our research, teaching and clinical services.
The department has achieved so much in the past and is hoping to achieve more in the future. We are indebted to our fellow clinicians who had contributed so much to the department. We are hoping that this working relationship keeps thriving in the future to come.
May Allah almighty bless the department and guide our path.
Best wishes,
Associate Professor Dr. Faezahtul Arbaeyah Hussain
Head of Department,
Department of Pathology,
School of Medical Sciences,
Health Campus, USM, Kelantan
