| Contexte |
Diagnostics remain insufficiently available, especially in LMIC contexts, with negative consequences on people’s health.
Diagnostic laboratories are often poorly resourced in developing countries, and sparsely distributed. Improved access may be achieved by using tests that do not require laboratory support, including rapid tests for use at the point-of-care. New tests are needed that can be used outside of the laboratory, particularly for persons living in remote or rural areas. There is no appropriate test for 50% of the top 20 diseases responsible for most of lives lost. For instance almost 80% of people living with hepatitis C virus are in LMICs, and of those, only 21% are estimated to have been diagnosed. This lack of availability of and access to quality, reliable tests threatens the ability to respond to disease outbreaks, epidemics and pandemics, and jeopardizes the achievement of universal health coverage (UHC).
COVID-19 highlights the inequalities in access to as well as disruption of essential health services.When the pandemic hit, LMICs were already fighting not only deadly infectious diseases like tuberculosis, malaria and hepatitis, but also growing emergencies such as diabetes. Antimicrobial resistance is claiming lives at such a rate that it is on track to eclipse the losses due to COVID-19.
New opportunities have emerged in the diagnostic landscape.Since 2003, the Foundation for Innovative New Diagnostics (FIND) has been working to bridge gaps in the development of essential diagnostics particularly relevant for LMICs, in collaboration with the international research community, the public sector, and industry. FIND has taken a leading role in the global COVID-19 response by coordinating the Access to COVID-19 Tools Accelerator (ACT-A) diagnostic pillar. This initiative provides valuable experience and insights that lay the groundwork for the formation of an international alliance for diagnostics that can live on beyond the pandemic.
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| Groupes cibles |
Vulnerable population including:
- Pregnant women and children
- Urban poor
- Hard-to-reach rural population
- People living with HIV
- Migrants and refugees
- Indigenous population
- Sex workers
- Prisoners
- People who inject drugs
-Men having sex with men.
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| Effets à moyen terme |
Outcome 1: Universal health coverage: Expand primary care testing to combat diseases that disproportionately affect vulnerable populations.
Outcome 2:Global Health Security: Strengthen diagnostic surveillance and response systems to contain outbreaks and improve pandemic preparedness, aligned with a One Health Approach
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| Résultats |
Principaux résultats attendus:
Output 1: Minimize TB and hepatitis deaths from missed diagnosis
Output 2: Strengthen screening for non-communicable diseases and reduce death from undiagnosed fever and pneumonia
Output 3: Accelerate elimination of NTDs via tailored testing strategies
Output 4: Build on ACT-Accelerator model to establish permanent early-warning and response system for outbreak-prone pathogens
Output 5: Build access to anti-microbial resistance (AMR) testing and surveillance to safeguard drugs and reduce mortality
Principaux résultats antérieurs:
· At the end of 2020, 17 new diagnostic tools have been developed and 12 of these are in use.
· FIND contributed to the evidence base for diagnostics adapted to remote contexts: 84 FIND-sponsored clinical studies in LMICs.
· FIND’s contributions to global guidance: support going into 16 guidance documents and 12 WHO recommendations on use of diagnostics.
-FIND received ISO certification in July 2019 for its quality management system for the conduct of performance evaluations / clinical trials for In-Vitro Diagnostics.
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| Coordination avec d'autres projets et acteurs |
World Health Organization (WHO),Special Programme for Research and Training in Tropical Diseases (TDR), Medicines for Malaria Venture (MMV), Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swiss TPH), Swissmedic |
