Roche iagnostics has partnered with African Society for Laboratory Medicine ASLM 2018 for the fourth Biennial International Conference in Lagos in a bid to prevent and control the next pandemic in Africa with a focus on the “Role of the Laboratory.”
ASLM plays an important role in advancing and strengthening laboratory services in Africa and in line with this, Roche Diagnostics will be showcasing its achievements in tackling Hepatitis B and C in Nigeria as well as new solutions in the HIV space.
The purpose of the conference is to provide information on the laboratory medicine landscape and needs in Africa as well as increase awareness of opportunities to invest in laboratory medicine amongst private, public and philanthropic donors.
The conference further facilitates networking among participants, particularly for newcomers to African healthcare settings and markets while promoting the creation of public-private partnerships to ensure further development of both African laboratories and African diagnostics companies.
Speaking at a Press Conference Roche Diagnostics Acting Interim General Manager and Head of Management Centre South Africa, Duncan Mackay said that the partnership with ASLM was ideal as the conference is an important step in building and advancing healthcare systems on the Continent taking into consideration the AU Agenda 2063 where the African Union adopted Vision 2063 as a roadmap for continental development.
“This is very much aligned with our commitment to support the improvement of the health care system in Africa. We will continue to partner with organisations that have associated objectives with us in improving the healthcare of our people in Africa.” He added
Roche Diagnostics believes in collaborative efforts to achieve universal health coverage and is currently working with CHAI for HIV, Hepatitis and Cancer across Africa; PEPFAR, Global Fund for HIV across Africa, Cervical cancer screening in Partnership with the Society for Gynaecology and Obstetricians of Nigeria (SOGON) in Nigeria. Over the past 3 years it has also developed Public Private Partnerships with CDC for “Good Laboratory Practise” training Program in Africa, which strengthens Quality.
Roche Diagnostics Country Head for Nigeria,Taofik Oloruko-Oba said “Our solutions have direct positive impact on health and lives of millions of people across the world for example the Taraba State Project Zero Hepatitis campaign. The prevalence of Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in Nigeria is 11% which implies that there are almost 19 million Nigerians infected with Hepatitis B (HBV). Therefore our solutions for screening, diagnosis, treatment and treatment monitoring are required for everyone who is infected. The National guidelines for HBV management recommend screening for all relevant people.”
Other innovative technological solutions that Roche Diagnostics provide include;
- The Plasma Separation Card for HIV viral load samples which enable Viral load sample transport out of cold chain.
- Unique serology solutions for Non-Communicable Diseases.
- The HPV DNA genotyping for cervical cancer screening which was the first to be certified by the FDA
- The cobas® 8800, the highest throughput instrument for HIV, Hepatitis and HPV DNA testing in the world, Several of which are present here in Nigeria. The right solution for management of Pandemic infections
ENDS
About Roche
Roche is a global pioneer in pharmaceuticals and diagnostics focused on advancing science to improve people’s lives. The combined strengths of pharmaceuticals and diagnostics under one roof have made Roche the leader in personalised healthcare – a strategy that aims to fit the right treatment to each patient in the best way possible. Roche is the world’s largest biotech company, with truly differentiated medicines in oncology, immunology, infectious diseases, ophthalmology and diseases of the central nervous system.
Roche is also the world leader in in vitro diagnostics and tissue-based cancer diagnostics, and a front-runner in diabetes management.
Founded in 1896, Roche continues to search for better ways to prevent, diagnose and treat diseases and make a sustainable contribution to society. The company also aims to improve patient access to medical innovations by working with all relevant stakeholders. Thirty medicines developed by Roche are included in the World Health Organization Model Lists of Essential Medicines, among them life-saving antibiotics, antimalarials and cancer medicines.
Roche has been recognised as the Group Leader in sustainability within the Pharmaceuticals, Biotechnology & Life Sciences Industry nine years in a row by the Dow Jones Sustainability
Indices (DJSI). The Roche Group, headquartered in Basel, Switzerland, is active in over 100 countries and in 2017 employed about 94,000 people worldwide. In 2017, Roche invested CHF 10.4 billion in R&D and posted sales of CHF 53.3 billion. Genentech, in the United States, is a wholly owned member of the Roche Group. Roche is the majority shareholder in Chugai Pharmaceutical, Japan.
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