Top local and international healthcare professionals will examine key healthcare issues currently facing Southern Africa, and the value of diagnostics in particular, in the management of highly infectious diseases such as extremely drug resistant MTB and the Human Papiloma Virus, at the fourth annual Roche Diagnostics Forum, to be held in Johannesburg on 10 October 2007.
The 2007 Diagnostics Forum will look at the prevailing situation around extremely drug resistant MTB with a presentation by the Director: Global Drug Resistance Surveillance Network Project, World Health Organisation, Abigail Wright, examining the impact of this condition on the developing world.
Other topics also under discussion will include the viability of a Human Papiloma Virus vaccine for Southern African, issues impacting on the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission as well as the importance of in-vitro diagnostics guidelines in South Africa and the implications for laboratories, healthcare professionals and patients.
Speakers at the forum will include Doris- Ann Williams, Director General, British In-Vitro Diagnostics Association, Prof. Michele Ramsay, Head of Molecular Genetics Laboratory-Division of Human Genetics NHLS/ University of Witwatersrand and Dr Humphry Zokufa, CEO, Board of Healthcare Funders.
“The Roche Diagnostics Forum continues its tradition of bringing together opinion leaders and decision-makers from the healthcare sector to engage one-on-one with regard to issues pertaining to laboratory medicine. We are of the firm belief that innovative diagnostics tools can be immensely helpful in improving patient care and cost effectiveness. This year's focus will lie with the opportunities of In-Vitro Diagnostics (IVD) in shaping the future of laboratory medicine and the value of diagnostics in the management of infectious diseases,” said Knut Seifert, Country Manager for Roche Diagnostics.
Seifert urged greater recognition for the immense progress made over the past decade by diagnostics technology to enhance effective healthcare. This could be achieved principally by adjusting reimbursement models to reflect the true value of IVD in terms of economic value to the health care system, he said.
The forum will conclude with a fascinating glimpse into the future of genomics by Dr. Richard E. Green, Postdoctoral Scientist, MPG, Germany with a presentation on the sequencing of 38,000 year old Neanderthal DNA with novel high throughput sequencing technology.
Jane Erhart, Communications Manager: Roche Products Pty Ltd- Diagnostics Division
Tel: +27 11 504 4600 mobile: +27 82 893 8450
Email: jane.erhart@roche.com
Estelle Cooper. Cooper Public Relations.
Tel: +27 11 705 1714 Fax: 086 632 8005 mobile: +27 82 55 74818
Email: estellec@cooperpr.co.za
