Quality pathology and laboratory diagnostic services are key to improving global health outcomes: improving global health outcomes is not possible without accurate disease diagnosis

As the health care needs of populations change in low- and middle-income countries, the demand for affordable, accurate, and timely diagnostic testing will increase substantially. The need for such testing is threefold: (1) to guide treatment of patients, (2) to improve standards of practice in health care systems, and (3) to monitor the health of populations through accurate data collection and analysis. To inform public policy decision making, increased access to quality pathology laboratory diagnoses will require a broader and more holistic approach than has been attempted in the past. This will include addressing workforce development, quality and practice standards, education and training, laboratory infrastructure, resourcing, and advocacy for services