November 15, 2021
The Issue
Access to testing is a critical part of the care and prevention for nearly every disease. It requires the right mix of affordable and high-quality technology and effective health systems. Not only is it important to choose the right technologies for each healthcare setting, but there are essential health services that need to be functioning for testing to be delivered effectively.
Many countries are still working to establish testing programs for essential diagnostics, both the technology infrastructure and the associated health systems required. As such, testing remains a critical gap for many diseases. In 2021, a Lancet Commission on diagnostics estimated that half the world’s population do not have access to essential tests.
The COVID-19 pandemic brought this into sharp focus. Providing testing rapidly became an enormous priority for countries, not only for individual patient care, but also to track and manage spread of the disease for pandemic control. Preventing future epidemics will rely on effective testing for early detection of emerging threats.
CHAI's Approach
CHAI works closely with country partners and other agencies to improve access to high-quality, affordable diagnostics for COVID-19, HIV, cervical cancer, tuberculosis (TB), malaria, hepatitis, diabetes, and overall diagnostics delivery services in low- and middle-income countries. CHAI takes a patient-centric and holistic approach that focuses on improving service delivery systems and introducing innovative diagnostic technologies where needed.
CHAI helps establish the conditions to support high-quality diagnostic systems, especially for primary healthcare. We work closely with government partners to support planning upgrades to testing services, ensuring a reliable, cost-effective supply chain, training, and the integration of testing with care and treatment services. We also help build diagnostic networks across countries that maximize testing coverage and referral to care and reduce costs. Our focus is ensuring greater access to essential diagnostics that improve healthcare and reducing barriers to efficiency and sustainability.
Results
120M
affordable high-quality COVID-19 rapid antigen tests made available for LMICs
20+
countries helped with introducing and scaling-up rapid point-of-care PCR-based tests for HIV, TB, hepatitis, and COVID-19
US$1
lower pricing negotiated for dual HIV and syphilis rapid tests
<$10
negotiated price for HIV viral load in low and middle-income countries, saving more than $150M
Our Work
Join the Team
CHAI is looking for dynamic and self-motivated individuals who are committed to strengthening health systems around the world and expanding access to care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other illnesses.
View All CHAI Positions View Program Positions
Join the Team
CHAI is looking for dynamic and self-motivated individuals who are committed to strengthening health systems around the world and expanding access to care and treatment of HIV/AIDS, malaria, and other illnesses.
View All CHAI Positions View Program Positions