Dr. Ifedayo Adetifa is a pediatrician and tuberculosis expert who led the Nigerian Centre for Disease Control during the Covid-19 pandemic. A year ago, he became the CEO of FIND, the global alliance for diagnostics, a product development partnership based in Geneva. A major innovation gap was FIND’s initial focus – and remains a pressing priority. And over time, the access gap has become much more conspicuous and urgent. A 2021 Lancet Commission and recent update have proven highly valuable. The sudden decline in U.S. financing is having impact, directly and indirectly, upon FIND, but its diversification of funders has provided a cushion. FIND engages directly with over 100 US-based businesses. AI provides an opportunity for closing gaps in diagnosis, when combined with digital tools. However, there is a serious risk of low-income countries being left behind in the AI transformation. And a risk that diagnostics fall off the priority list.
The CommonHealth