Roche has received an exclusive contact from the National Health Laboratory Services in South Africa to provide support for the country’s Early Infant Diagnosis programme, which aims to combat HIV/AIDS in children. Under the contact, Roche will deliver diagnostics in support of the programme, which will use the dried blood sampling technique to diagnose children within the first months of life. The technique involves preserving a spot of blood on filter paper and sending it to a test centre, eliminating the need for refrigeration and reducing the amount of blood needed to be stored and delivered. Early diagnosis is vital for children suffering from HIV/AIDS, as appropriate medical care can significantly reduce the chances of developing illnesses.
