Roche Diagnostics Africa and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) have announced the launch of a three-year partnership to strengthen laboratory leadership and improve access to quality diagnostic services across the continent.
The initiative titled, “LEAD: Leadership Excellence for African Diagnostics,” brings together health ministries, laboratory directors, academic partners and technical experts to develop a new generation of capable, connected and future-ready lab leaders.
The Executive Vice President, Diagnostics, Africa, at Roche Diagnostics, Dr. Allan Pamba, said the partnership will build long-term leadership that would shape the future of diagnostics in Africa practically, strategically and sustainably.
Pamba said in a time where the African healthcare systems needed to become less reliant on external funding sources, the partners are focused on increasing domestic diagnostics capacity more than ever.
“We are entering a new chapter where African health systems take the lead in their own transformation. By growing diagnostic leadership we support long-term resilience and impact. LEAD equips professionals who can influence policy, drive national strategy and build sustainable healthcare capacity,” Pamba stated.
Pamba explained that under the partnership, LEAD will deliver a series of integrated interventions including baseline leadership assessments to guide a tailored context-specific training approach.
Pamba added that the initiative would also include the development of a pan-African curriculum in collaboration with a leading academic institution, structured mentorship and professional development for emerging lab leaders, peer learning and regional collaboration through workshops and best practise exchanges.
Also speaking, the ASLM Chief Executive Officer, Nqobile Ndlovu, emphasised that diagnostics are the foundation of resilient health systems, but strong labs require strong leaders.
Ndlovu explained that LEAD focuses on people’s their vision, reach and ability to transform public health from within.
“With this programme, we are supporting the leadership needed to move African healthcare forward. Roche will provide funding, technical support and global platforms for visibility, while ASLM will lead country-level implementation, stakeholder coordination and curriculum development,” Ndlovu stated.
Ndlovu emphasised that laboratory strengthening is a key enabler for stronger health systems and this partnership is a commitment towards a healthier future for Africans.
