Haematology

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Haematology Department

The Haematology laboratory studies the diseases of the blood and blood forming organs. The cells of the blood (red cells, white cells and platelets) are counted on sophisticated analysers and if abnormal their morphology is examined microscopically by registered Technicians and Scientists to aid in determining the cause of the abnormality. The types of abnormalities encountered include iron deficiency anaemia, infectious mononucleosis, leukaemia and other haematological malignancies, amongst many other disorders.

The coagulation department determines the ability of blood to form a clot. Coagulation studies are performed to investigate the cause of bleeding or thrombotic (clotting) disorders or to monitor the effects of treatment for these conditions, such as warfarin therapy.

Various other tests are performed to investigate abnormalities of haemoglobin synthesis, exclude malaria, red cell enzyme deficiencies and other diseases of the blood.