Telling the TPN Story in Barcelona
By Dr. Maureen Waithaka and Lucy Nolan
In June 2025, The Pathology Network (TPN) participated in the 21st European Congress on Digital Pathology (ECDP 2025), held at the Palau de Congressos de Barcelona.
ECDP is one of Europe’s leading annual scientific meetings dedicated to digital pathology, whole-slide imaging, computational diagnostics, and the clinical application of AI in histopathology.
The congress brings together pathologists, biomedical engineers, researchers, diagnostic companies, AI developers, and health-system leaders to discuss advances in digital workflows, validation standards, regulatory frameworks, and emerging technologies shaping the future of diagnostic medicine.
These themes are directly relevant to Africa, where digital pathology and coordinated diagnostic infrastructure have the potential to significantly improve access to specialist reporting and strengthen clinical decision-making.
TPN’s participation ensured that Africa’s progress, challenges, and growing capabilities in digital diagnostics were represented on a global stage.
Dr Maureen Waithaka’s Report
I recently had the incredible opportunity to represent The Pathology Network at the 21st European Congress on Digital Pathology (ECDP2025), which was held at the Palau de Congressos de Barcelona, situated in the heart of Barcelona, Spain. It was an honour to not only attend but also to present our innovative digital pathology workflow to a global audience of peers and experts.
The conference was an invaluable experience, offering a look into the future of our field. I was particularly impressed by the presentations showcasing the results of studies on the clinical application of various AI diagnostic models. It got me thinking that we need to include more African data on such studies in order to diversify and comprehensively evaluate AI models, which are likely to become a fundamental part of routine pathology practice.
For us at The Pathology Network, digital pathology holds immense potential to transform healthcare across the continent. By adopting these cutting-edge digital solutions, we can bypass traditional limitations and significantly improve access to surgical pathology services for our communities.
I returned with new connections, fresh ideas, and a reinforced belief in our mission. I’m excited to apply what I learned to our work and look forward to forging new collaborations that will help advance the practice of digital pathology, both globally and right here at home.
Why ECDP Matters for Africa and the Global Diagnostic Community
ECDP2025 featured scientific sessions on:
clinical validation of AI diagnostic models
whole-slide imaging in primary diagnosis
digital pathology workflows and implementation strategies
quality assurance and regulatory considerations
computational pathology and multi-modal analysis
telepathology and remote collaboration
Many of these themes directly align with diagnostic challenges across the African continent, particularly in regions facing workforce shortages, reporting delays, and limited access to subspecialty expertise. Digital pathology provides a pathway to bridge these gaps by enabling faster reporting, remote consultations, and more equitable distribution of pathology expertise.
African representation at ECDP is important not only for knowledge exchange but also for ensuring that global AI research and digital-pathology standards include data, insights, and perspectives from African populations. As AI becomes increasingly integrated into routine pathology practice, inclusion of diverse datasets will be essential for accuracy, safety, and equitable clinical utility.
Looking Ahead
TPN’s presence in Barcelona reinforces our commitment to building Africa’s digital diagnostic grid and contributing to global conversations shaping the future of pathology.
The insights gained at ECDP2025 will inform ongoing development of digital workflows, collaborative research opportunities, and future partnerships aimed at strengthening diagnostic services across the continent.
