Kenya still suffers from a shortage of forensic pathologists, hence, creating a strain in the healthcare workforce.
The Ministry of Health has noted that the division of forensic pathology services is faced with numerous challenges that have affected its operations, including limited funding as a result of competing needs.
The forensic pathologist is a subspecialist in pathology whose area of special competence is the examination of persons who die suddenly, unexpectedly or violently.
The head of the Department of National Health Systems Strengthening at the Ministry Julius Ogeto on Wednesday acknowledged that the need for forensic services has risen, especially as of recent when the country has witnessed an increase in mass casualty incidences and cases of terrorism.
“We have a serious challenge in terms of the health workforce. Like this division has four forensic pathologists who are capable of covering the whole country and this is quite a strain,” Ogeto noted.
“We do also have inadequate equipment to cope with the work that we have. Because this division offers very key services in the administration of justice, quality assurance is key, and it is important that we develop a programme to support quality assurance and quality control,” he added.
The official spoke at Kenyatta National Hospital during donations of forensic medical equipment from the UK government.
The essential forensic medical equipment worth Sh4.5 million is part of the joint effort to fight terrorism.
The items include one portable fridge, 24 slats of the mortuary table, six mortuary tables, six aluminium stepladders, 15 collapsible tables, 20 folding chairs and 300 body bags.
“As a commission, we are very keen especially with regards to access to justice along with the sexual gender-based violence which happens from time to time so these facilities will go a long way in giving us the right evidence but would support redress for the victims,” KNCRH CEO Benard Mogesa said.
The equipment is expected to increase the capacity of the Pathology and Forensic Unit, improving disaster response and supporting forensic investigations.
The medical equipment will preserve and analyse crucial evidence needed to identify and convict terrorist offenders, bringing them to justice. It will also help identify disaster victims and preserve their dignity to prevent further suffering for grieving families.
“The scourge of terrorism is a challenge we face in both our countries. We remember the victims of these attacks, from Westgate to Riverside, to Garissa. I am pleased to provide this support to Kenya, to help boost our joint fight against terrorism,” The British High Commissioner to Kenya, Jane Marriott said.
According to the DPP, the expertise of a forensic crime scene investigator is of paramount importance to the success of the collection of forensic evidence and the application of forensic sciences has become essential to criminal investigations and prosecutions.
Haji noted that forensic evidence fulfils several roles in criminal investigations by proving a crime has been committed by establishing key elements of a crime.
“This includes placing the suspect in contact with the victim or the crime scene establishing the identity of persons associated with a crime, exonerating the innocent, collaborating of victims testimony and assisting in establishing the facts of what occurred,” he said.
There is a low number of practising pathologists in the country, with data showing that with a population of more than 47 million people, Kenya has about 150 practising pathologists.
Pathology and laboratory medicine services provide a foundation to safe, effective and equitable healthcare delivery, population health and global security.
Pathology services include biochemistry, microbiology, haematology, and histopathology. They also include imaging, autopsies and forensic pathology to determine the cause of death.
“The role played by forensic medical services to the public health and safety of this country cannot be underestimated,” Health CAS Rashid Aman said.
He added: “We have heard the challenges faced by the officers in the Division of Forensic and Pathology Services but I wish to recognize the efforts and successes by this team despite these challenges.”
It is estimated that at current rates of education and training, it could take up to 400 years for sub-Saharan Africa to match the pathologists-to-population ratio of the UK or US.
