WHO and FIND Sign New Memorandum to Boost Innovation in Diagnostics
Agreement builds off a previous resolution between the organizations to improve access to testing
FIND accelerates equitable access to reliable diagnosis around the world. We are working to close critical testing gaps that leave people at risk from preventable and treatable illnesses, enable effective disease surveillance, and build sustainable, resilient health systems. In partnership with countries, WHO, and other global health agencies, we are driving progress towards global health security and universal health coverage.
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GENEVA, SWITZERLAND, June 4, 2024—FIND and the World Health Organization (WHO) have signed a new memorandum of understanding (MoU) that lays the foundation for accelerating innovation and achieving equitable access to quality diagnostics for people globally.
One year on from the historic resolution to strengthen diagnostics, and with FIND as co-lead of the Access to COVID-19 Tools (ACT) Accelerator diagnostics pillar, this new agreement marks a step in a strengthened partnership between WHO and FIND to speed up both innovation and access to diagnostics, supporting countries to implement the World Health Assembly Resolution on diagnostics.
“We are proud to be signing this MoU with WHO, as quality and accessible diagnostic testing is the backbone of health systems, primary health care and health security,” said Dr. Ayoade Alakija, board chair at FIND. “At a time when there has been three cases of H5N1 avian flu spillover events from cows to humans in the last month and an outbreak of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the importance of diagnostic testing to identify outbreaks and quash them before they become major epidemics or even pandemics has never been more critical.”
This new agreement establishes FIND as the key strategic partner for diagnostics, working with WHO and others to address priority areas including antimicrobial resistance; infectious diseases like HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis; and noncommunicable diseases like hypertension, heart disease, cervical cancer, and diabetes.
“This MoU is a recognition of a long-standing relationship between FIND and WHO,” said Dr. Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO director-general. “It is much more than a formalization of our collaboration, as it opens new avenues to jointly work together, save lives, and improve health.”
Signed on June 1, 2024, the MoU will also see the two organizations build new avenues to share knowledge and scale up critical activities to accelerate access to life-saving diagnostics.
FIND is a nonprofit organization that accelerates equitable access to diagnosis around the world.
- This press release was originally published on FIND’s website.