BY OJO SAMSON AYOMIDE
The CEO of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM), Mr. Nqobile Ndlovu, MPH, has called on government or the 54 African nations to pay premium attention to Research and Development (R&D) in the field of medical diagnostics laboratories so that the black continent will be ever ready to face and tackle any health challenge.
Speaking on Wednesday evening during an online interactive session with journalists while the inaugural ASLM Diagnostics Convention 2024 is ongoing in Abdijan, Cote d’Ivoire, Ndlovu said that the West has gone far in the area of medical diagnostics laboratories with more technology advancement, adding that governments of African nations must devote resources into researches in medical diagnostics especially when the continent is prone to diseases and pandemics.
The ASLM Diagnostics Convention 2024 with the theme: “Transforming Diagnostic Systems in Africa: Harnessing Innovation and Quality Assurance to Elevate Equity and Excellence” is being held at Radisson Blu, Abidjan. The Convention has brought together over 300 health leaders, policymakers, laboratory professionals, researchers, civil society and industry partners to address critical challenges and innovations in diagnostics across Africa.
Ndlovu informed the journalists that the advanced countries have improved technologies that have advanced the cause of medical diagnostics laboratories through research and development.
Thanks to countries such as Uganda, South Africa, Kenya, Morocco and a few others which have devoted resources to manufacturing diagnostics to give the continent self sufficient, Ndlovu said the plan of ASLM is to start pushing for local manufacturing of diagnostics.
According to the CEO, Africa is at the receiving end of the negative effects of the pandemic, but has not been taken the advantage of increasing researches in medical diagnostics laboratories.
Citing some of the challenges currently confronting the continent in the area of infrastructures for effective testing, funding to procure modern equipment and technologies, impediment caused by regulations across borders and issues of workforce, the ASLM’s CEO said the Convention addressed these challenges, it won’t be enough if political solution to address the issue of funding is not taken serious.
He also appealed to the media to join hands in the advocacy as there is a need for the people in various African communities to be educated about the activities of the African Society for Laboratory Medicine, and more importantly for the people to see the value in medical diagnostics laboratories.
