[Status and prospects for the development of a pathology service in the Russian Federation]

General crisis in the country exerts a negative influence on the pathology service in Russian Federation. There is a lack of pathologists--only 58.6% of the vacancies were filled in 1989. About 17% of the buildings are in need of emergency repairs, 30% require major repairs. The supply of microscopes, instruments, reagents, etc., is unsatisfactory. The number of autopsies in the hospitals decreased by 19.4% in 1989 compared to 1986. Centralization of the pathology service is a positive element, and 22 bureaus of pathology functioned in Russian Federation in 1989. Transition to the market economy will place new problems concerning skilled staff, modern equipment and finances.