By Muhammad Amaan
Roche Diagnostics has unveiled a new Africa-wide initiative aimed at expanding access to tuberculosis testing and strengthening integrated healthcare delivery, as countries seek more efficient ways to respond to persistent public health challenges amid constrained funding.
The programme, known as Integration Accelerated, was launched in Johannesburg, South Africa on March 24 to coincide with 2026 World TB Day. It is designed to help countries maximise existing laboratory infrastructure by enabling the use of HIV diagnostic platforms to also test for tuberculosis (TB), human papillomavirus (HPV), and hepatitis B and C.
According to experts, despite steady progress in combating TB, the disease remains the leading infectious killer worldwide. A report shows that in 2024 alone, an estimated 10.7 million people fell ill with TB and 1.23 million died.
It disclosed that Africa has recorded some of the fastest improvements globally, with new cases declining by 28 per cent and deaths by 46 per cent since 2015.
“However, the continent still accounts for about a quarter of global infections and more than 30 percent of deaths, with many cases continuing to go undetected.”
Health experts say that with financial resources tightening, future gains will depend less on new investments and more on how effectively existing systems are utilised.
The company explained that Integration Accelerated seeks to address this by promoting a “whole patient” approach, allowing laboratories to run multiple diagnostic tests on the same equipment, thereby increasing efficiency and reach.
Executive Vice President, Roche Diagnostics Africa, Dr Allan Pamba, said the initiative represents a shift away from fragmented, donor-driven health programmes towards more sustainable, integrated systems.
“In 2025, the world stopped funding the old way of doing health. In 2026, we are introducing a new way. Integration Accelerated is intended to help countries increase their impact within existing budget realities while building resilient health systems for the future.”
He explained that many countries already have a wide network of HIV testing instruments, much of which operates below full capacity. By expanding their use to include TB, HPV and hepatitis testing, governments can improve diagnostic coverage without the need for significant additional capital expenditure.
The initiative also includes an access model expected to generate cost savings for ministries of health by consolidating testing services across multiple disease areas.
In addition, Roche will provide tailored technical support to assist countries in implementing integrated diagnostic systems, taking into account varying local conditions and healthcare structures.
The continued overlap between TB and HIV infections in many African countries underscores the need for coordinated care, experts say. Integration of diagnostic services is expected to improve early detection and treatment outcomes by enabling healthcare providers to address multiple conditions more efficiently.
Roche said it would partner with governments and health institutions across the continent to roll out the programme, positioning integration as a practical solution to sustaining progress against TB while addressing other high-burden diseases.
“As countries work towards global TB elimination targets, integration offers an increasingly point to system-level innovation as critical to maintaining momentum.
“With Integration Accelerated, Roche is betting that smarter use of existing
infrastructure can help close diagnostic gaps and deliver more comprehensive care to patients across Africa,” he added.
