Fighting pandemics through testing
Roche and (RED) are partners on a shared mission to bring awareness to the importance of diagnostics and testing in the global fight against preventable and treatable diseases. Decades of investments for health system strengthening and HIV/AIDS programs have enabled countries across Africa to build more resilient health systems, including laboratories for testing and trained healthcare workers which are critical for patients.
Together, as a global community, we can continue to support these global health investments and emphasize the importance of diagnostic testing in reversing the impact from COVID-19 and ensuring vital information is available for patients to support disease management in the ongoing fight to end AIDS by 2030.
We know we cannot win the fight against one pandemic without combatting the other. COVID-19 has severely disrupted access to critical health and prevention services, particularly among people living with HIV. According to a 2021 survey conducted by the Global Fund across over 500 health facilities in 34 countries, compared to 2019, HIV testing fell 41%.
Testing is a vital first step in providing the initial diagnosis for people to learn their status, assess treatment options, and to provide ongoing monitoring for HIV for treatment efficacy. At a personal level this informs people about their ability to pass on the virus to a partner or unborn child influencing key life decisions. As a leader in HIV testing, specifically in sub-Saharan Africa, Roche is partnering with (RED) to help bring greater awareness to the importance and value of diagnostics for continued investments to be made in fighting pandemics.
“Through our Global Access Program, Roche is committed to providing more widespread access to diagnostics in the fight against COVID-19 and the ongoing HIV/AIDS pandemic for patients where access is limited.”
“We are proud to continue our partnership with (RED) on our shared mission to stand up to pandemics and mitigate the further impact on health systems from COVID-19.”
"Access to diagnostics remains a challenge across most parts of Africa. To end pandemics such as HIV and COVID, we must invest in building strong laboratories and empowering lab workers with the necessary skills & technologies, even in the most remote of areas.This should be a present priority in Africa to ensure timely delivery of much needed results to doctors & their patients."
HIV is still a crisis across Africa and COVID has complicated the challenge so we must continue to fight both pandemics together. Investments in health systems, particularly diagnostics and strengthening lab systems, are critical to ending pandemics. Empowering healthcare workers at all levels will enable the incredible advancements in science and technology to impact millions.
Addressing the elephant in the room: investing in lab system strengthening
The covid pandemic highlighted the value of diagnostics in fighting pandemics and strengthening health systems. Countries with strong diagnostics systems were better equipped to respond to the pandemic. In this episode, we are going to talk about it with Doreen Shempela and Cynthia Banda, from The Church's Health Association of Zambia Laboratory.
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No matter their age, advancements in testing and treatment are life-saving for a person with HIV. Together, as a global community, we can work towards ending HIV/AIDS by 2030.
Testing for HIV
Accurate testing is the backbone of ending any pandemic. A reliable HIV test provides empowering, life-saving information.
Start HIV Free
With treatment, viral load can be suppressed to the point where it’s unlikely the virus will be transmitted to others. An early positive diagnosis for a pregnant woman can provide life-saving information to help her stay healthy and ensure her child is born HIV-free.
Stay HIV Free
Testing doesn’t end once a person discovers their HIV status. Regular viral load monitoring of the virus arms people with the information they need to stay healthy and empowers them to pursue their dreams.
References
https://coronavirus.jhu.edu/map.html. Accessed 25June2021 Accessed 25June2021
About (RED)®
(RED), named for the color of emergency, was founded by Bono and Bobby Shriver in 2006 to turn companies into a cavalry to fight the AIDS pandemic. Today, that cavalry is also fighting the urgent threat of COVID and its devastating impact on the world's most vulnerable communities, answering the need for a truly global response.
(RED) partners with the most iconic brands and people to create (RED) products and experiences — all of which raise money for the Global Fund, one of the world's largest funders of global health. (RED) partners include AM Denmark, Amazon, Anova Culinary, Apple, Balmain, Bank of America, Barefoot Dreams, Beats by Dr. Dre, Earth Rated, eos, Fiat, Girl Skateboards, The Honey Pot Co., Jeep, KISS Products, Louis Vuitton, Mavin Records, Morel Eyewear, Primark, RAM, The Ridge, Salesforce, Starbucks, Therabody, TRUFF, U-Mask, Vahdam India and Vespa. (RED) supporters include Merck and Roche.
To date, (RED) has generated $700 million for the Global Fund, helping more than 245 million people. The money raised by (RED)'s partners and campaigns goes directly to strengthen health systems and support life-saving programs in the communities where pandemics hit hardest.