Pacific Pathology Training Centre

Welcome to the Pacific Pathology Training Centre (PPTC), located at Wellington Hospital in New Zealand. Established in 1980, our not-for-profit organization was originally known as the Pacific Paramedical Training Centre. Our primary focus is to provide training and assistance in the Medical Laboratory Sciences, as well as developmental support for clinical laboratories and blood transfusion services in Pacific Island countries and Southeast Asia.

Supported by the New Zealand Government through the New Zealand Aid Programme, the PPTC has also received strong support from the Capital & Coast District Health Board, New Zealand Blood Service, New Zealand Red Cross, Norman Kirk Trust, and the University of Otago School of Medicine and Health Sciences. In fact, since 1990, we have been recognized as a collaborating center for the World Health Organization, Western Pacific Region.

In 2019, we underwent a name change to better reflect our core work, becoming the Pacific Pathology Training Centre. This change aligns with our mission to provide training and support in the field of pathology. In June 2020, we were designated as a WHO Collaborating Centre for External Quality Assessment in Health Laboratory Services, further solidifying our commitment to excellence.

The services offered by the PPTC are an integral part of New Zealand's Overseas Development Programme and are supported by various agencies, including the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the New Zealand Ministry of Health. Our governance is overseen by a Board of trustees, consisting of six members, four of whom are Medical Laboratory Scientists, elected annually.

We are proud of our strong network and collaboration with other Pacific organizations such as the SPC (Pacific Community), PPHSN (Pacific Public Health Surveillance Network), PIHOA (Pacific Islands Health Officers Association), JIMT (Pacific Joint Incident Management Team – Lab Cell), and the LabNet Technical Working Group. These partnerships highlight our unique recognition and role in the ongoing development of medical laboratory services throughout the Pacific region.

At the PPTC, we offer a range of services and programs. Our External Quality Assurance Programmes ensure the accuracy and reliability of laboratory testing, while our consultancy services provide expert guidance and support. We also offer teaching courses in the Medical Laboratory Sciences, both in-person and through distance learning.

If you are interested in participating in our External Quality Assurance Programmes, please visit our website at https://pptc.org.nz/regional-external-quality-assurance-programme/. For those looking to pursue a Diploma in the Medical Laboratory Sciences through distance learning, please visit https://pptc.org.nz/distance-learning/. And if you are based in Wellington and would like to attend our training courses, please visit https://pptc.org.nz/courses/.

Thank you for visiting the Pacific Pathology Training Centre. We are dedicated to advancing the field of pathology and supporting the development of medical laboratory services across the Pacific region.