Overcoming barriers to equitable HIV testing

Since its identification in the early 1980s,two-thirds of whom live inToday, the tools exist to continue to work towards the elimination of HIV. In the past decade in particular, there has been incredible progress in expanding access to HIV diagnostics and treatment, especially in low and middle income countries which have been enduring the brunt of the disease.

People infected with HIV can live long, fulfilling lives with the diagnostics and treatments we have today. The challenge is ensuring that HIV positive people receive the help they need. In the countries hardest hit by the disease, access to the few healthcare centres that can diagnose, treat, and follow up HIV patient care has been extremely limited. Since 2002 and 2003, respectively, both the Global Fund and the United States President's Emergency Plan For AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), have invested heavily in providing the funds to supply quality testing and treatments to the people in need, along with building up the infrastructure needed.

To enable equitable access to HIV testing in resource-limited settings, and to support the UNAIDs 2020 (now 2030) targets, Roche created thein 2014. Through this program, Roche provides sustainable pricing to governments and funders, alongside working with partners to build the infrastructure and capabilities required to run diagnostic programmes. Recognising the unique challenges in resource-constrained countries, Roche also specifically developed solutions to address some of the critical challenges faced, such as reaching people in rural settings with limited ability to travel to testing clinics, along with loss of follow up with people not getting their test results in time. The aim is to ensure that all patients, even those in hard-to-reach locations, have access to quality diagnostic tests to either screen or diagnose viral diseases or monitor their treatment response.

For example, we have developed aa simple device for viral load testing of people infected with HIV which is about the size of a credit card. It collects a small amount of blood from a fingertip that can then be easily transported for up to 28 days without refrigeration before being analysed. This test was designed for patients who are unable to access centralised testing locations, particularly those living in remote areas with extreme heat and humidity. Using this system, a blood sample can also be taken from a heel prick of a baby by the local healthcare centre and can be sent through the post for HIV testing. This helps overcome many hurdles preventing babies from being diagnosed with HIV.

The Global Access Program for HIV testing has seen a four-fold increase in tests run since launch. It is estimated that in 2021, over 8 million people in Africa used our viral load testing to manage their HIV infection and to date over 11 million babies have been tested for HIV with Roche tests, giving more children the chance to live a healthy life.

In addition, from 2015 to 2021 we have been able to train over 8300 laboratory professionals, covering over 100 training courses and workshops, across 18 countries, through the Roche Scientific Campus in South Africa.