A series of articles on diagnostics in a recent issue of The Lancet highlights the importance of laboratory medicine, many with a specific focus on laboratory medicine in low-income countries. One such article by Dr John Nkengasong, Director of the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and colleagues reflects on progress made in the field of laboratory medicine and the remaining challenges for sub-Saharan Africa. Others focus on cholera, malaria and pathology.

The African Society for Laboratory Medicine encourages members of its community to read the articles listed below. These articles are available free at the link, although some require registration for a free account to access.

https://www.thelancet.com/journals/lancet/issue/vol391no10133/PIIS0140-6736(18)X0021-X

Taking aim at cholera, Eric Mintz Open Access

Can improving access to care help to eliminate malaria?, Azra C Ghani Open Access

Pathology and laboratory medicine: the Cinderella of health systems, Sabine Kleinert, Richard Horton Available free with account registration

Laboratory medicine in low-income and middle-income countries: progress and challenges, John N Nkengasong, Katy Yao, Philip Onyebujoh Available free with account registration

Pathology and laboratory medicine in partnership with global surgery: working towards universal health coverage, Isabelle Citron, Kristin Sonderman, John G Meara Available free with account registration

Emergency deployment of oral cholera vaccine for the Rohingya in Bangladesh, Firdausi Qadri, Abul Kalam Azad, Meerjady Sabrina Flora, Ashraful Islam Khan, Md Taufiqul Islam, G Balakrish Nair, Poonam Khetrapal Singh, John D Clemens Available free with account registration