Strong blows the South Winds: FIND Chair visits global south Health Ministers/Partners

Geneva, Switzerland – FIND Board Chair Dr Ayoade Alakija today met with Singapore’s Minister for Health, Mr Ong Ye Kung in Singapore. In their meeting, Dr Alakija and Minister Ong discussed the rapidly changing global health landscape, the critical importance of diagnostics as the world stands on the precipice of another pandemic and the opportunities and hope generated by collaborative partnership.

The Singapore government expressed its support for FIND, noting the value and importance of partnership in achieving FIND’s mission.

With Singapore exerting significant influence in the ASEAN region and globally because it can leverage its strengths in diplomacy, innovation and public health, it is a fitting partner to engage with in discussing the future global health landscape and the importance of diagnostics and FIND’s role in this.

In their meeting together Minister Ong noted several key strategic areas of interest with opportunities for collaboration with FIND. He noted the need for international systems for diagnostics and the importance of building upon the work achieved by ACT-A in establishing a platform for cross sectoral stakeholders to align for pandemic preparedness and response.

Earlier in her visit, Dr Alakija spent time at the Diagnostics Development Hub (DxD Hub) meeting with DxD and Ministry of Health leadership teams who noted from their perspective FIND’s unique position in the world as the global organisation for diagnostics.

DxD highlighted its work in women’s health and dengue, two priority areas with opportunities to partner with FIND.

FIND Board Chair Dr Ayoade Alakija (left) and Minister for Health Indonesia, Budi Sadikin (right)

Two weeks ago, Dr Alakija also met with the Minister for Health Indonesia, Budi Gunadi Sadikin to follow up on strategic discussions related to ongoing partnership. She also met with FIND Indonesia staff to discuss the FIND and Indonesia implementation plan.

Notably both Minister Ong and Minister Budi are the two remaining G20 Health Ministers who were in post during COVID-19 and as a result come with deep expertise and experience of what is required to respond in a pandemic. Given the experiences of infectious disease outbreaks across Southeast Asia, both Ministers are acutely aware of the pivotal role that diagnostics play and the need to ensure equitable access from community level and beyond. Both Ministers acknowledged the important role of diagnostics to their primary health systems in supporting the attaining of healthcare objectives.

Dr Alakija and FIND look forward to welcoming Indonesia and Singapore country representation to FIND’s diagnostics day event during the 2025 World Health Assembly.