The Global Diagnostics Coalition (GDC) convened leaders from government, global health, civil society, industry and partner organizations at the World Health Summit 2026 to advance collective action to close persistent gaps in access to diagnostic services.
Diagnostics are fundamental to quality health care, universal health coverage, health security and pandemic preparedness. Yet 47% of the world’s population still lacks access to a timely, reliable diagnosis, limiting opportunities for early detection, treatment, and effective care.
Opening the event with a video message, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that resilient health systems must be built before crises occur, with the capacity to detect and respond to health threats while meeting everyday health needs. “Without timely and accurate diagnostics, we’re flying blind,” he said.
Against the World Health Summit theme of moving from crisis to resilience, participants examined how to translate growing recognition of the diagnostic gap into country-led implementation and stronger, more integrated diagnostic systems.
Carol Nawina, Executive Director of CITAMplus, brought the human consequences of diagnostic gaps into focus. Drawing on her experience of repeatedly seeking care before being diagnosed with HIV, tuberculosis and cancer, she illustrated how delayed diagnosis can lead to repeated health-care visits, avoidable costs, worsening illness and missed opportunities for timely treatment.
Nawina called for diagnostic services to be brought closer to communities and organized around people rather than individual diseases. She also urged decision-makers to recognize communities as equal partners in shaping services, informing innovation and strengthening accountability. “Our experiences are not merely stories to be shared at meetings. They are the evidence that must inform decisions and guide investments,” she said.
Dr Mohamed Fawzi, Radiology Advisor to the Minister of Health and Population of Egypt, shared lessons from Egypt’s progress in expanding access to screening, diagnostic imaging and teleradiology, highlighting the importance of linking diagnosis with treatment and care.
An expert panel, moderated by Dr Ibrahima Socé Fall, CEO of Institut Pasteur de Dakar, brought together leaders from the GDC, FIND, Siemens Healthineers, Christian Blind Mission and the Gates Foundation. Panelists called for innovation that responds to country needs, stronger investment in diagnostics, action on workforce and infrastructure constraints, more effective regulatory pathways, and greater preparedness before crises emerge. They emphasized that stronger data and evidence on the health and economic value of diagnostics are essential to build political commitment and investment. Clear national diagnostic priorities were also seen as critical to aligning partners and financing with country needs and avoiding fragmented, disease-specific approaches.
Presenting the Coalition’s progress one year after its launch, Kylie Shae, Team Lead for Medical Devices and Assistive Technology at WHO and Chair of the Global Diagnostics Coalition, highlighted the GDC’s growing membership and work to share knowledge, strengthen advocacy and support coordinated action through its three pillars: Illuminate, Champion and Integrate.
Closing the event, Deusdedit Mubangizi, Director for the Department of Medicines and Health Products Policy and Standards, WHO, called on stakeholders to translate the growing momentum around diagnostics into action. “We should carry forward a shared responsibility to close the diagnostic gap,” he said.
The Berlin event marked an important milestone in the GDC’s engagement with the wider global health community. Building on this momentum, the Coalition will continue to support country leadership, strengthen alignment across the diagnostics ecosystem and foster collaboration to expand equitable access to diagnostic services.
To learn more about the GDC, including how to join, visit the GDC webpage or contact the Secretariat at gdxc@who.int.