Lessons from COVID-19 for improving diagnostic access in future pandemics

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Diagnostic Engineering
• Epidemiology

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic underscored the crucial role of diagnostic testing.
• Despite numerous test developments, challenges persisted in meeting public health demands and ensuring equitable access.
• Existing tests often fell short of the ideal 4As: accuracy, access, affordability, and actionability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the evolution of COVID-19 testing use cases throughout the pandemic.
• To identify engineering challenges and lessons learned for test developers at each phase.
• To propose future collaborative efforts for advancing diagnostic testing.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of testing strategies and their implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic.
• Analysis of engineering challenges encountered in test development and deployment.
• Synthesis of lessons learned and formulation of recommendations for future public health needs.

Main Results:

• Testing use cases dynamically shifted in response to pandemic phases.
• Significant engineering hurdles were encountered in scaling up production, ensuring accuracy, and achieving rapid results.
• Gaps in equitable access and alignment with public health objectives were consistently observed.

Conclusions:

• Future diagnostic test development requires new public sector funding models and R&D approaches.
• Investment in adaptable, open-platform technologies is essential for increasing testing capacity across healthcare.
• Robust data connectivity infrastructures are vital for integrated surveillance, and coordinated regulatory frameworks are needed for rapid innovation translation.