Division of Haematological Pathology
About us
The Division of Haematological Pathology is part of the Department of Pathology in the Faculty of Medicine and Health Science at Stellenbosch University. The division functions from the National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) of Tygerberg Hospital located on the 9th floor of the building and is headed by Dr Zivanai Cuthbert Chapanduka.
Our department provides a diagnostic service within the NHLS to provide Tygerberg Hospital and its referral network with quality laboratory services. The NHLS haematology laboratory provides full blood counts, differential counts and peripheral blood smears, malaria diagnostics, coagulation testing, platelet function testing, flow cytometry and a full bone marrow examination service. Our laboratory maintains a high quality of output and is accredited by international standards with the South African National Accreditation System (SANAS).
Our division works closely with the Division of Clinical Haematology in the Department of Internal Medicine and the Division of Paediatric Oncology in the Department of Paediatrics to provide comprehensive diagnostic care to patients with benign and malignant haematological conditions, ranging from haemophilia and sickle cell anaemia to acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
Registrar training and undergraduate training are a priority for our Haematopathologists. We pride ourselves in guiding our registrars through their registrar programme, actively involving them in day to day working and management of the laboratory, providing them with opportunities for professional development in seminar presentations and research opportunities, and actively engaging them a divisional pathology rounds around a multi-header microscope.
In addition, the division is actively involved in and prioritises research. It is a requirement for all registrars to perform research as a part of their MMed degree. We encourage all research outputs to be published in peer reviewed journals and encourage engagement at conferences to showcase those outputs.
Our medical scientists are involved in research to expand the molecular understanding of haematological disease, and also perform diagnostic molecular testing for myeloproliferative neoplasms, AML and thrombophilia for NHLS haematology. Dr Carmen Swanepoel, principal medical scientist, also supervises BSc Honours and MSc laboratory research and dissertations. Dr Swanepoel also leads a weekly divisional journal club.
The Division of Haematological Pathology at Stellenbosch University strives to provide an inclusive and supportive environment that prioritises teamwork, professional growth and quality service.
