Dear All,
Register for this webinar:
Date: Wednesday, 3 November 2021
Time: 15.00-16.30 (Thailand, Vietnam, Indonesia) / 16.00-17.30 (Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong)
In the current diagnostics market, most countries rely on the supply of a few global manufacturers for diagnostic tests. The COVID-19 pandemic has shown several limitations of this approach. Global needs often exceed the market capacity to supply when time is of essence. The needs of vulnerable populations are often not prioritised. Lastly, nationalistic approaches to health issues result in medical tools not reaching the population in need, cost being too high or sometimes not even existing in the market.
Now is the time to highlight the need of a diversified market, with local production of diagnostics meeting local health needs. This is necessary during and even after the pandemic, as we embrace a system with better health preparedness.
The effort to bring the production of diagnostics to local level is not new to the Asian region. Even before the current pandemic, there have been multiple discussions and initiatives within the region to create local networks, collaboration models and manufacturing capacity. The COVID-19 pandemic has confirmed that the effort needs to be reinforced and its fruits materialized.
As an international medical humanitarian organisation, Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) relies on diagnostic tests daily as an entry point for appropriate clinical care in our medical projects in more than 70 countries. Our teams have seen first-hand how insufficient access to diagnostics hinders effective medical care and can lead to worse outcomes for people’s health.
This event aims to connect governments, manufacturers, funders, and regional agencies, and provide recommendations and next steps in diversifying the diagnostics market in the Asian region through expanded and sustainable production of diagnostics in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) meeting the local needs.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
This event is hosted by veteran Filipino journalist Howie Severino. Our speakers include:
- Dr. Stijn Deborggraeve, Diagnostics Advisor Infectious Diseases at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) Access Campaign (www.msfaccess.org)
- Dr. Jaime Montoya, Highly trained and multi-awarded Infectious Disease Specialist; Chair of the ASEAN Diagnostics Initiative and Executive Director of DOST-PCHRD
- Dr. Berlin Tran, a Vietnamese researcher in digital and political economy currently working with the University of Economics Ho Chi Min City
- Dr. Eduardo Banzon, Principal Health Specialist in the Southeast Asia Regional Department of the Asian Development Bank, and a champion of Universal Health Coverage
- Dr. Raul Destura of Manila Healthtek
- Dr. Ricardo Jose Guerrero, Research Fellow at Ateneo Research Institute for Science and Engineering (ARISE) & Engineering Lead at Bayan Biomedical Research Group
Sincerely,
MSF Team