Respiratory Tract Infections (RTIs) are one of the world’s deadliest health threats, hitting the hardest in places where access to healthcare is limited. The HOLICARE project is tackling this head-on by bringing together African and European partners to deliver better diagnostics, training, and tools to communities that need them most.
GADx participate in this pivotal project developing a multiplexed-Lateral Flow Test device for Upper Respiratory Tract Infections (URTI). This advanced diagnostic tool is designed to identify COVID-19, Influenza A/B and RSV, enabling rapid screening and triage for more accurate and timely treatment decisions.
As part of the initiative, GADx leads the Clinical Trial, overseeing its coordination and execution from start to finish. The trial will enrol approximately 2160 patients across 12 sites in three African countries, providing an invaluable opportunity to demonstrate our expertise in international trial management.
This year, the HOLICARE Annual Conference and Diagnostics Workshop took place in Mbarara, Uganda. Over three days, healthcare professionals, researchers, and industry leaders gathered to share knowledge, test new ideas, and build solutions. Devanshi Pandit and Josie Mensah-Kane from GADx were proud to be part of it.
Bringing Diagnostics to Life
At the conference, Devanshi and Josie presented advancements in multi-lateral flow assay technology – a powerful tool for rapid, on-the-spot diagnostics. These tests make it possible to detect respiratory infections quickly and accurately, even in settings where lab access is limited.
They also ran a hands-on workshop on lateral-flow tests. This gave attendees the chance to roll up their sleeves, learn how these tests work, and see firsthand how they can transform diagnosis and treatment in point-of-care settings. The session highlighted a simple but critical truth: early detection saves lives.
Why HOLICARE Matters
HOLICARE is more than just a project. It’s a collaborative effort to address the massive burden of RTIs in countries like Ethiopia, Senegal, and Uganda. The goal? To make life-saving diagnostic tools accessible, sustainable, and scalable.
HOLICARE’s approach focuses on four key areas:
- Better Diagnostics: Rapid lateral flow tests combined with advanced hospital-based tools for pathogen identification.
- Training: Teaching local professionals to use and manufacture these technologies.
- Building Capacity: Strengthening healthcare systems to adopt and scale new solutions.
- Community Adoption: Ensuring diagnostics are used effectively through local engagement and support.
By combining innovation with local expertise, HOLICARE is laying the foundation for long-term change.
Looking Ahead
The conference in Uganda was a reminder of the power of collaboration. It’s about more than technology—it’s about people coming together to solve challenges that matter.
This project marks a significant milestone for GADx, highlighting our commitment to innovation and global collaboration in addressing critical healthcare challenges. We are honoured to contribute to such an impactful project that aims to improve patient outcomes and support healthcare systems worldwide.
There’s still work to do, but events like this show what’s possible when we work together.
HOLICARE is funded by the European Commission as part of the Horizon Europe Research and Innovation Programme, under Grant Agreement Nº 101057596