The LabCoP Management team recently sat down with Anafi Mataka, Head of Programs at ASLM, to discuss the newly established Global Diagnostics Coalition. This coalition was officially launched at the 78th World Health Assembly in May 2025.
ASLM: Can you tell us why the Global Diagnostics Coalition was formed?
Anafi Mataka: The idea for a global diagnostics alliance that would coordinate and advocate for diagnostics internationally was proposed in the Lancet Commission on Diagnostics that was published in 2021. The Commission was set up to analyse issues affecting pathology and laboratory medicine and revealed that close to half of the world’s population had little to no access to basic diagnostic tools. This was across seven diseases, from diabetes, maternal and newborn care, to HIV, malaria and tuberculosis (TB). For low- and middle-income countries, this access gap increased to 81%, suggesting diagnostics are not equitably distributed, particularly at the primary health care level.
ASLM: Had there been any steps taken on the continent to address this diagnostic gap?
Anafi Mataka: Yes – several key milestones and initiatives standout. In 2008, African ministers of health identified poor access to diagnostic testing as a challenge that needed to be addressed. They therefore committed to expand and further develop quality-assured laboratory services as part of a greater framework of health system strengthening within resource-limited settings. In addition, the Freetown Declaration of 2015 is another key declaration that emphasized the importance of strengthening diagnostic systems in Africa, specifically by focusing on the development of functional, integrated national laboratory networks. This declaration highlighted the need for cost-effective and widespread diagnostic service delivery in resource-limited settings. These declarations and many other related calls of action set the stage for laboratory strengthening and highlighted the critical role diagnostics play in outbreak control, as clearly demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic.
ASLM: What will the Diagnostics Coalition do?
Anafi Mataka: The Coalition will support the implementation of the WHA resolution on Strengthening Diagnostics Capacity (WHA76.5) so that diagnostics remain integral to any universal health coverage programs. It will also advance the WHO’s 14th General programme of work as well as the 2025-2030 Roadmap for access to safe, effective and quality assured health products and technologies. The Coalition aims to achieve three objectives; raise awareness of the importance of diagnostics capacity; conduct advocacy activities to elevate diagnostics as a global health priority and promote sustained investment in diagnostic infrastructure and workforce capacity; and strengthen networking and knowledge sharing.
ASLM: How can ASLM support achievement of these objectives?
Anafi Mataka: ASLM is uniquely positioned to play a pivotal role in the Global Diagnostics Coalition by supporting advocacy for national diagnostics strategies, promoting investment in affordable diagnostics, and facilitating integration of diagnostics into health systems across Africa. Leveraging strong regional networks, and partnerships with WHO AFRO, Africa CDC and Ministries of Health, ASLM has been contributing to working groups on regional pooled procurement, regulatory harmonisations and future of diagnostics in Africa to support innovation, streamline procurement and accelerate access to quality diagnostics.
ASLM: What role is ASLM playing to support sustainability of these efforts under the current situation of limited funding for national laboratory networks and diagnostics systems?
Anafi Mataka: In the recent past, funding for diagnostics systems in LMICs has drastically reduced as support from traditional funders shifted. These funding cuts severely threaten access to diagnostics, with an ASLM survey showing that over 80% of countries reported they cannot sustain current laboratory services without replacement funding . ASLM is actively working with the laboratory directors through the Laboratory Director’s Forum to develop minimum packages of laboratory services, tailor essential diagnostics lists in line with program reprioritisation, and strengthen coordination between ministries of health and stakeholders to advocate for domestic funding for diagnostics. More important than ever is diagnostic network optimisation (DNO) and integrated testing approaches ensuring the available resources are efficiently used. Many of the LabCoP countries have conducted DNOs and can leverage these data to design lean, sustainable and responsive systems to ensure access to quality testing. Sustained funding and partnerships, including with the private sector, will be crucial to consolidate gains and ensure the momentum from the WHA is not lost.