يحاول ذهب - حر

The Pathologist: Essential but underappreciated

August 19, 2025

|

Manila Bulletin

Allow me to discuss the pathologist’s role in health care.

- RAYMUND W. LO, MD, FPSP

The public often has no idea what a pathologist is or what one does. I often have to explain what I do in so many words.

Pathology is the study of diseases. Medical students take a year-round course in pathology. If one flunks the subject, he/she is dropped automatically from the rolls. Such is the high regard for the subject since it is the bedrock of the practice of medicine. One has to know what the disease is before it can be treated properly.

But pathology is also a specialty, like internal medicine, surgery, OB-GYN or pediatrics. Upon passing medical licensure examinations, one has to undergo four years of residency training, and pass certifying board examinations given by the Philippine Society of Pathologists Inc., to practice either anatomic pathology or clinical pathology or both.

As medical professionals, we also charge professional fees for our services, which are much like radiologists who interpret images (x-rays, CT scans, ultrasounds, MRIs). It is a specialty that charges the least, and because we are hidden from public view, pathologists often suffer from discrimination from other medical specialists, who treat us like second-class citizens.

المزيد من القصص من Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

Marcos to join 2 key UN meetings in New York

President Marcos will undertake a working visit to New York from March 8 to 11 to participate in United Nations (UN) engagements, Malacañang announced Monday, Feb. 9.

time to read

1 min

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

$251-M water project moved to March—WB

The World Bank has moved to next month the approval of its $250.89-million loan for a project aimed at improving water supply and sanitation (WSS) in three Philippine islands.

time to read

2 mins

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Ashfall from Mayon blankets Camalig, Guinobatan towns

Thick ashfall blanketed Camalig and Guinobatan towns in Albay after the largest pyroclastic density current (PDC), locally known as “uson,” from Mayon Volcano was recorded on Monday, Feb. 9 at 10:35 a.m.

time to read

2 mins

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

LGU borrowing down 62% in 2025

Local government units (LGUs) sharply reduced their reliance on credit markets last year, with total financing requests plunging by more than 60 percent as borrowing activity shifted away from the nation’s economic heartland toward provincial infrastructure projects.

time to read

2 mins

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Frasco, Herbosa still enjoy Marcos' trust amid online criticisms - Palace

Malacañang said reports of public dissatisfaction toward Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Christina Frasco and Department of Health (DOH) Teodoro Herboso circulating online are mere speculation, stressing that they continue to enjoy President Marcos' trust.

time to read

1 mins

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Familiar faces lodge 3rd impeachment rap vs VP Duterte

A set of familiar faces filed a third impeachment complaint against Vice President Sara Duterte on Monday morning, Feb. 9, at the House of Representatives.

time to read

4 mins

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Manila Bulletin

SUV rams restaurant in Alabang

A sport utility vehicle rammed into a restaurant of actor and businessman Matteo Guidicelli in Alabang, Muntinlupa on Feb. 8.

time to read

1 mins

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

FDA in the news again

The Food and Drug Administration was in the news again, this time for the proliferation of counterfeit products being sold online.

time to read

3 mins

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Boosting the economy through responsible mining

The recent Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the United States and Philippine governments on the mining of critical minerals can be a significant milestone in attracting responsible mining investments, setting a framework for US-based mining companies as they pursue investments in the Philippines.

time to read

2 mins

February 10, 2026

Manila Bulletin

Truck makers gear up for growth spurt this year

Philippine truck manufacturers are bracing for an acceleration in sales this year as the government-led push for fleet modernization and sustained infrastructure spending offset the flat performance last year.

time to read

2 mins

February 10, 2026

Listen

Translate

Share

-
+

Change font size