Roche Diagnostics Africa and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) have announced the launch of a three-year partnership to elevate 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, according to a statement by the company.
“In a time where we need African healthcare systems to become less reliant on external funding sources, we are focused on increasing domestic diagnostics capacity more than ever,” said Allan Pamba, executive vice president, Diagnostics, Africa, at Roche Diagnostics.
“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.”
According to the statement, the partnership will see LEAD deliver a series of integrated interventions including baseline leadership assessments to guide a tailored context-specific training approach, 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.
Nqobile Ndlovu, ASLM chief executive officer stated that diagnostics are the foundation of resilient health systems, adding that strong labs require strong leaders.
“LEAD focuses on people: their vision, their reach and their 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.
Laboratory strengthening is a key enabler for stronger health systems and this partnership is a commitment towards a healthier future for Africans, the statement read.
