Last mentioned: Mar 5, 2026
79th World Health Assembly
Target deadline for the conclusion of negotiations on a legally binding global pandemic agreement.
Roche Africa Press Day
Policymakers and scientists meet in Kenya to discuss the transition of labs from emergency assets to essential infrastructure.
78th World Health Assembly
Adoption of the global pandemic preparedness resolution and initial framework for the PABS system.
At the Roche Africa Press Day, health leaders and the Africa CDC called for a fundamental shift in laboratory financing, moving from reactive emergency response to permanent national infrastructure. The transition is tied to the upcoming 2026 global pandemic agreement, which aims to mandate pathogen data sharing in exchange for equitable access to medical countermeasures.
African health leaders and Roche are advocating for a fundamental shift in how laboratory systems are funded and integrated into national health frameworks. The move aims to replace 'emergency-only' funding with sustainable infrastructure to ensure pandemic preparedness and equitable access to diagnostics.