Expanding Access to Point-of-Care Tests Through Primary Care: Comparative Policy in the Global South and Practice Settings

Access to essential diagnostics remains a major barrier to quality healthcare for 85 % of the population in the Global South, where many communities face shortages of laboratory infrastructure and trained personnel. Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) offers a transformative solution by enabling rapid, on-the-spot diagnosis in primary care settings. This session explores how different policies and healthcare models influence the adoption and scale-up of POCT across low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Through a comparative lens, we will examine successful policy frameworks, challenges in implementation, and best practices that can drive equitable access to life-saving diagnostics in resource-limited settings.

1. Understanding point-of-care testing

2. Awareness of extant policies both global and national

3. Identifying best practices and opportunities presented by primary care, and

4. Exploring scalable solutions.

Akindele Opeyemi is a health systems consultant, author, and tech-enabled medical educator with 15+ years of experience. His keynotes, research, and writings have impacted thousands of healthcare professionals worldwide. Committed to extending African life expectancy by 20 years, he pioneered a system to improve diagnostic accuracy through access to essential diagnostics and evidence-based care in underserved areas. As Lead Faculty at The Global Masters Institute, he established Africa’s first internationally accredited Point-of-Care Testing Certification Programme in 2019. A Commonwealth Scholar, he earned an MSc in Public Health from the University of Bedfordshire, UK.