Joint Statement Applauding New WHO Recommendation on Point-of-Care Early Infant Diagnosis
Media Contacts:
Meghan Quinn
EGPAF
mquinn@pedaids.org
Charlotte Baker
Unitaid
bakerc@unitaid.who.int
Lazeena Muna-Mcquay
UNICEF
lmunamcquay@unicef.org
Regan Lachapelle
Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI)
rlachapelle@clintonhealthaccess.org
David Lewin
ASLM, Communications Manager
Tel O: 301-920-2203
Email: DLewin@aslm.org
The Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, UNICEF, Unitaid, The Clinton Health Access Initiative, and ASLM applaud new WHO recommendation on point-of-care early infant diagnosis
March 19, 2021— Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation (EGPAF), UNICEF, Unitaid, the Clinton Health Access Initiative (CHAI), and ASLM join in commending the World Health Organization’s (WHO) decision to strongly recommend point-of-care early infant diagnosis (POC EID) in the updated WHO Clinical Recommendations on ART Initiation and Treatment Monitoring.
This announcement elevating point-of-care to the preferred testing option for early infant diagnosis reflects the technology’s significant impact on the efficiency of pediatric HIV testing and diagnosis. Since half of untreated, HIV-positive children will die by their second birthday, with peak mortality occurring at just 8 to 10 weeks old, it is crucial that HIV-exposed babies are promptly tested and initiated onto treatment. However, many families are left waiting weeks or months to receive results using conventional testing. Access to POC EID ensures that test results are rapidly returned—usually within one day—enabling a shorter turnaround time to initiate life-saving treatment for infants who are diagnosed with HIV.
“We are proud to see that Unitaid’s vision of the critical role that point of care technologies can and should play in HIV diagnostics is strongly reflected in the new WHO guidelines. Over the years, our investments have generated overwhelming and robust evidence in favor of such a shift.” Dr. Philippe Duneton, Executive Director, Unitaid
“POC EID is an example of the meaningful innovations that will help us achieve an AIDS-free generation. To end pediatric AIDS, we must close the gaps that keep children’s quality of care lagging behind adults,” said Chip Lyons, EGPAF President and CEO. “EGPAF is proud to support the integration of point-of-care testing into national diagnostics networks, so that children urgently in need of life-saving medicines can be quickly identified, treated, and live long, healthy lives.”
“The new recommendation by WHO to use point of care (POC) molecular testing to diagnose HIV in infants and children under 18 months of age will save countless lives. POC diagnostic technologies are particularly important in communities in low-resource settings with limited access to diagnostics as well as patients whose clinical management depends on quick diagnostic test results – such as children with HIV. Introducing, scaling up, and integrating POC diagnostics across national disease programmes may be challenging, but it is now proven to bring vital health benefits for children by remarkably reducing turnaround time for test results, accelerating treatment initiation, and ultimately saving children’s lives.” Dr. Chewe Luo, Associate Director HIV/AIDS Programme, UNICEF
“These guidelines mark a turning point that enables universal test and treat for infants and other vulnerable patients. CHAI hopes this will further catalyze the expansion of point-of-care testing and we remain fully committed to support this effort, working alongside our partner governments. It is now time to make it a reality on the ground,” said David Ripin, Chief Science Officer, and EVP of Infectious Diseases at CHAI.
“The WHO recommendation of POC EID is a timely and critical ingredient,” said Nqobile Ndlovu, ASLM CEO. “It addresses the importance of patient-centred health care delivery and promotes the integration of diagnostic services. ASLM will continue to support countries to integrate POC testing strategies to improve the overall effectiveness and coverage of diagnostic networks.”
These new WHO guidelines recognize the importance of expanding access to high-quality, reliable, and cost-effective diagnostic testing. Our organizations remain committed to adopting and expanding POC EID with vulnerable populations and regions in greatest need to further optimize outcomes for children, women, and families around the world.
