Roche and ASLM Launch LEAD Programme to Strengthen Diagnostic Leadership Across Africa
Roche Diagnostics Africa and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM) have launched a transformative three-year initiative to strengthen laboratory leadership and improve access to quality diagnostic services across Africa.
The programme, titled LEAD – Leadership Excellence for African Diagnostics, aims to equip a new generation of lab professionals with the skills, mentorship, and strategic insight needed to drive sustainable, locally led improvements in health systems.
The LEAD programme brings together a broad coalition of stakeholders, including ministries of health, laboratory directors, academic institutions, and technical experts. Its core objective is to develop practical, strategic, and resilient leadership in diagnostics, laying the foundation for African healthcare systems that are less dependent on external funding and more capable of managing and improving health outcomes independently.
Dr. Allan Pamba, Executive Vice President, Diagnostics, Africa at Roche Diagnostics, emphasized the importance of the initiative. “This partnership will build long-term leadership that would shape the future of diagnostics in Africa practically, strategically and sustainably. In a time where we need African healthcare systems to become less reliant on external funding sources, we are focused on increasing domestic diagnostics capacity more than ever,” he said.
The LEAD programme will implement a range of integrated interventions tailored to the specific needs of African countries. These include baseline leadership assessments, the development of a pan-African diagnostics curriculum in collaboration with a leading academic institution, structured mentorship, peer learning, and regional collaboration through workshops and best-practice exchanges.
Roche will support the programme by providing funding, technical expertise, and access to global platforms to enhance visibility. ASLM will lead country-level implementation, coordinate with key stakeholders, and oversee the development and rollout of the curriculum.
Nqobile Ndlovu, CEO of ASLM, emphasized the human-centered approach of the initiative. “Diagnostics are the foundation of resilient health systems – but strong labs require strong leaders. LEAD focuses on people: their vision, their reach and their ability to transform public health from within. With this programme, we are supporting the leadership needed to move African healthcare forward,” she said.
Laboratory strengthening is increasingly recognized as a key enabler of stronger health systems, and the LEAD programme represents a powerful commitment to building long-term, African-led capacity in diagnostics. By focusing on leadership development, the initiative aims to influence national strategies, shape policy, and build the resilience of health systems across the continent.
