African governments urged to improve health care services through laboratory scienceBy Mike Mwaniki in Cape Town, South Africa
Health experts have challenged African governments to embrace the latest laboratory technology to transform the provision of healthcare services in the region.
Speaking during the official opening of the ongoing sixth biennial African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) Conference in Cape Town on Tuesday evening, South Africa’s Deputy Director General (National department of Health), Dr Anban Pillay said laboratory science holds the key in transforming healthcare provision.
“The 1st ASLM Conference in 2012 laid a foundation that symbolised a shared commitment to rediscover, reimagine and redefine laboratory medicine.”
“Today we celebrate 10 years of dedication, collaboration and progress in advancing frontiers of laboratory medicine”, said Dr Pillay.
At the same time, Dr Pillay recalled that the 2008 Maputo Declaration on Strengthening of Laboratory Systems committed African countries to elevate the laboratory systems while the Ministerial Call for Action at the ASLM 2012 conference outlined the key areas of action.
“As the world lives in the shadow of the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing sixth biennial conference will echo the need of adaptability and innovation as the delegates explore the laboratory power in reshaping the African healthcare landscape that will be responsive, inclusive and dynamic,”.
Dr Pillay was speaking when he addressed the more than 1,200 delegates during the opening ceremony of the ASLM2023 Conference in the picturesque Cape Town International Convention Centre.
Earlier, the ASLM Chief executive, Mr Nqobile Ndlovu noted that in the 2021 diagnostic findings, about 47percent of the global population had little to no access to diagnostics.
According to Mr Ndlovu, the trend was worrying when viewed through the emerging triple threat of infectious diseases, non-communicable diseases and malnutrition which are further amplified by climate change and frequent pandemic outbreaks.
At the same, Mr. Ndlovu noted that ASLM this year launched a strategy plan with four pillars that aims at strengthening laboratory workforce as well as ensuring access to quality diagnostics.
“The strategy also aims at improving laboratory systems efficiency while empowering African communities,”.
He added: “The current landscape indicates that the challenges we face include gaps in access, resource constraints, fragmented data management, infrastructure and regulatory compliance challenges.”
The chief executive stated that these were not insurmountable challenges especially with the historic passing of the strengthening diagnostics capacity Bill by the World Health Organisation (WHO) which pushed diagnostics to the front globally.
“This was further cemented by the Regional Strategy on Diagnostics and Laboratory Services and Systems, which was passed in July this year (2023) for the WHO African Region.”
At the same time, Mr Ndlovu also said that these Bills have placed Africa at the centre and opportune time to define and change the future of diagnostics.
“The newly added future of diagnostics initiative will identify and prioritise the key enablers, opportunities and solutions that will facilitate and accelerate improved diagnostics services to be achieved by regional resource partners,”.
Earlier, Roche Diagnostics (Africa) Executive Vice-President, Dr Allan Pamba, praised the Kingdom of eSwatini who hosted a stakeholder dialogue towards a World Health Assembly (WHA) resolution on diagnostics capacity.
Dr Pamba—who is from Kenya– further praised all the African Ministries of Health that voted and supported for the endorsement of the resolution.
Roche is a strategic partner with ASLM in hosting the meeting which ends on Friday.
During the meeting, Dr Pamba announced Roche’s commitment to expanding access to quality and sustainable diagnostic testing through their Diagnostics 10-year ambitious plan as part of their vision for diagnostics in Africa.
The three-day conference kicked off with discussions and plenary sessions focused on exploring cutting-edge innovations and advanced technologies that are set to revolutionise laboratory medicine, reshape African healthcare, and impact the global health landscape.
