Essential Diagnostics

Laboratory diagnostic testing is crucial for correct and timely diagnosis and treatment in all health care systems. In developing countries the laboratory services do not meet the growing need. One of the main reasons is that laboratory services operate in a policy and guideline vacuum. The crucial role of laboratory diagnostics and the high financial investments justify the development of guidelines and policies to enhance rational use.

Policy makers, clinicians, and the public are more and more recognizing that diagnosis is essential to prevention and treatment of disease. Access to reliable diagnostic testing in sub-Saharan Africa is limited and misdiagnosis commonly occurs. The diagnostic capacity in resource-poor settings cannot presently meet the needs of global health initiatives that focus on (infectious disease) therapy and control. There is thus an urgent need and also a demand to integrate laboratory service provision to support the total care and management of people with health-related problems.

KIT contributes to strengthening the leadership and management capacity of national laboratory networks in resource-poor settings to ensure quality laboratory services and their constant availability through offering its comprehensive and complementary expertise and experience in the fields of disease control, health systems, laboratory diagnostic services, quality systems, and human resource development. KIT does so in consultation with partners in low- and middle-income countries by the development of different techniques, tools and approaches suiting the needs and competency at each level of health care.

Part of KIT ‘s research activities aims at analyzing the various factors which determine the actual use of laboratory testing from national to community level. Based on this analysis, practical guidelines and evidence-based policies can be developed to assess, monitor and improve the rational use of laboratory testing in developing countries. This research addresses the preconditions in the field of management and policies for existing and future diagnostic tools to be available and used in an effective and efficient way.

In the end we envisage a concept of  Essential Diagnostics similar to the valuable Essential Drugs programme of WHO.