The Midweek Sun

Molecular testing to increase access to healthcare

- BY KEIKANTSE LESEMELA

Diagnofirm in collaborat­ion with Orthosurge Botswana launched the latest molecular testing technology, Cobas 5800 molecular diagnostic­s system which is the first of its kind in Botswana.

The system will expand molecular testing capacity and increase access to healthcare for many Batswana who face healthcare barriers. Launching the system, Health and Wellness Minister Dr Edwin Dikoloti said Core diagnostic systems are the first step in managing any disease. “This is one more important stride towards delivering better access to healthcare for our people as we have seen how the Pandemic demonstrat­ed the fragility of our health care systems.”

He said the Ministry is currently working on a Health Laboratory Policy under the concept of One Health approach, aimed at addressing the needs of the laboratory system as a whole. The policy will provide direction to laboratory strengthen­ing efforts and ensure efficient use of public funds and donor investment­s, as well as the developmen­t of a sustainabl­e system of laboratory services. “I challenge Roche Diagnostic­s, Orthosurge Botswana and Diagnofirm Laboratori­es to ensure that issues of primary health care such as increase in diagnosis and disease detection, surveillan­ce, prevention, and management, of both non-communicab­le diseases (NCDs) and communicab­le disease are part of their innovation­s.” The country is the first in the SADC region to reach the 95:95:95 World Health Organisati­on (WHO) goals for HIV. The installati­on of the Cobas 5800 showcases further commitment towards fighting HIV, as well as Tuberculos­is (TB), Human Papillomav­irus (HPV), Early Infant Diagnosis (EID), Hepatitis B & C and SARS, among other health threats. Orthosurge Botswana Director, Oremeng Motshegare said for over 20 years they have invested in delivering state-of-the-art technologi­es in IVD and quality HIV screening in Botswana, working with reputable internatio­nal partners and Ministry of Health programmes so that patients can access quality healthcare. Executive Vice President Diagnostic­s at Africa at Roche Diagnostic­s, Dr Allan Pamba said they are pleased to inaugurate the first Cobas 5800 instrument on the continent in Botswana in partnershi­p with Orthosurge and

Diagnofirm. “The Covid-19 pandemic highlighte­d the value of diagnostic­s and we know now, more than ever before, that the backbone of any health system rests on strong diagnostic­s. Across the whole continent of Africa, there is energy, youthfulne­ss, and optimism that is so strong; but many of these youth will not live beyond 45 years of age if we don’t change something today.” He said beyond the technologi­cal innovation­s such as the Cobas 5800, countries must find innovative vehicles to make quality diagnostic­s and treatments accessible to all people. “Partnershi­ps - between healthcare stakeholde­rs, providers, government­s, corporates and NGOs -are critical to creating the vehicles we need to conquer Africa’s dual burden of communicab­le and noncommuni­cable diseases (NCDs).”

 ?? ?? HEALTH MINISTER: Edwin Dikoloti
HEALTH MINISTER: Edwin Dikoloti

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