The unit of Chemical Pathology aims to:
- Provide quality laboratories and specialized diagnostic services which save lives and resources
- Produce chemical pathology experts who demonstrate advanced and profound theoretical and practical knowledge of Clinical biochemistry to be able to lead a full clinical biochemistry laboratory service at consultant level.
- Produce graduates able teach chemical pathology at various institutions
- Be a master of research, be heavily involved in project development and critical assessment of published work and be able to contribute to the development of the five research groups.
- Be innovative, clinically, scientifically and in production of services and goods. Be able to team up with other units to find solutions to various problems, e.g. COVID menace.
- Develop biochemical methods or reagents. Test and validate methods, equipment or reagents produced locally or imported. Determining the toxicity or efficacy of medicines or vaccines etc
- Partner with companies or organization within or outside our borders to bring the necessary resources to strengthen chemical pathology and health services in Zimbabwe.
Pathology is the scientific study of the cause, origin, and nature of disease, including the changes occurring as a result of disease.
Chemical Pathology (also known as Clinical Biochemistry or Clinical Chemistry) is the branch of pathology concerned with the biochemical basis of disease, the application of biochemical and molecular techniques and the use of biochemical and molecular markers in the diagnosis and management of disease.
Analysis of individual constituents in body fluids provide information regarding the function or integrity of a tissue, organ or organ system. Analytical Procedures/Methods used are numerous. These include;
- Photometry
- Fluorometry
- Nephelometry
- Electrophoresis
- Isotopic immunoassay
- Chromatography
- Spectrometry
- PCR.etc
Biochemical test are performed for various reasons;-
- For diagnosis
- To monitor progression of disease
- To monitor effectiveness of treatment
- Screening population for diseases
- To identify complications of treatment
- For predicting prognosis or employability
- To check the accuracy of an unexpected data
- To conduct research
- To assess nutritional status and health of a health individual
- To determine risk factors and complications of biochemical disorders etc.