Strengthening diagnostic services in Latin America requires regional leadership, sustainable funding, and enhanced data sharing

IF 3.6 3区医学 Q1 HEALTH CARE SCIENCES & SERVICES

Health Policy Pub Date : 2025-03-11 DOI:10.1016/j.healthpol.2025.105287

Andres Moreira-Soto , Nils Gade , Bert Hoffmann , Jan Felix Drexler

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Diagnostic services played a key role in government responses to the COVID-19 pandemic. In our work to support diagnostics in over 20 countries of the Global South, with a focus on Latin America, we observed common problems in resource-limited settings. We identify common constraints of (i) affordability of reagents, (ii) access to reagents, (iii) poor infrastructure, and (iv) limited human resources. Enhancing diagnostic services in resource-limited settings cannot be sustained only by international cooperation and philanthropic missions. Success depends on domestic leadership and regional cooperation of which the existent influenza or dengue networks in Latin America are prime examples. A Latin American Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), as proposed by some, can only be successful if reliable funding and a clear mandate are secured. A stronger inclusion of diagnostic tool development and data sharing will be imperative for dealing with emerging pathogens.

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来源期刊

Health Policy 医学-卫生保健

CiteScore

6.40

自引率

6.10%

发文量

157

审稿时长

3-8 weeks

期刊介绍： Health Policy is intended to be a vehicle for the exploration and discussion of health policy and health system issues and is aimed in particular at enhancing communication between health policy and system researchers, legislators, decision-makers and professionals concerned with developing, implementing, and analysing health policy, health systems and health care reforms, primarily in high-income countries outside the U.S.A.