The early bird catches the public health worm
Diagnostics is mostly used to find out who has been infected. More focus should be paid to its monitoring role so communities can be proactive.
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WITH the Covid-19 pandemic unfolding rapidly and measures becoming more drastic by the day, we should humbly accept that each outbreak catches us by surprise. Even in countries with relatively good healthcare systems, there are shortages of vaccines, protective equipment, specific treatments and rapid diagnostic tests. These need to be managed once the disease has emerged, resulting in a response that appears to be continuously overtaken by events. Why are we not better prepared? Can we be, and if so, how?
The answer: Our approach towards diagnostics needs to be revolutionised.
THE CRUCIAL ROLE OF DIAGNOSTICS
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