Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub (Wits DIH) is a new entity registered under the University Research Committee (URC), as well as the Faculty of Health Sciences, at the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. The administration of Wits DIH remains with Wits Health Consortium (WHC), a private entity wholly-owned by Wits University supporting over 100 research syndicates from the Faculty of Health Sciences, under the leadership of Professor Wendy Stevens as the Divisional Executive Director (who is also the Strategic Director of the National Priority Programme of the National Health Laboratory Service). Our vision is to accelerate access to the most affordable innovative diagnostics for those that need them the most. As a team of experienced and globally recognised laboratory scientists, we design, develop, evaluate and implement innovative solutions and processes that address critical challenges in the pathology value chain for patients affected by priority diseases in the African region.
External link for Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub
Johannesburg, Gauteng, ZA
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Check out the latest ASLM News article about the ASLM team’s recent visit to the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub in South Africa. Learn more about how this partnership will pioneer advancements and revolutionise diagnostics in Africa. https://lnkd.in/dW-y-Zdy
We were thrilled to host ASLM! A message from our Executive Director, Prof. Wendy Stevens; 🗨 "My journey with ASLM commenced in 2011 and during that time, I have had the honour of co-chairing the ASLM conference in 2016, which was a tremendous success, and have served on the ASLM Board. Today, the organisation has matured significantly, providing a lifeline of knowledge during the COVID-19 period through their Academy. Since 2020, I chair their Academy Steering Committee and am proud to continue to be associated through the development of training strategies around content development and the accreditation thereof."
Last week, the ASLM team, including Acting Director of Programs, Dr Talkmore Maruta, Portfolio Lead, Anafi Mataka, and Senior Brand and Communications Manager, Nelly Rwenji-Ngari, M.PRSK, CPRA, visited the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub in South Africa to discuss partnership and pioneering advancements to revolutionise diagnostics in Africa. This collaboration aims to drive innovation, enhance accessibility, and prepare for future health challenges. Executive Director of the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub, Prof Wendy Susan Stevens, emphasised the importance of this partnership. "I see great learning opportunities, lab innovations, and diverse avenues to explore ways to ensure affordable diagnostics with autonomy for Africa. ASLM and Wits DIH should create simplified actions related to pandemic preparedness." Dr Maruta echoed this sentiment, highlighting the centrality of innovation within ASLM's science portfolio. "We must think and act with both the present and future in mind to support the changing nature of diagnostics."
🙌 Honoring the legacy of Nelson Mandela 🙌 Wits DIH celebrates Nelson Mandela, our champion of human rights and hope, by proudly supporting Wits University’s Mandela Month Food Drive: https://bit.ly/3LONz7L Thank you to all our staff for contributing to this worthy cause. Message from Wits University “Remember, you can continue to drop off non-perishable food and care packs at the Wits Citizenship and Community Outreach unit based at the Sanctuary on Braamfontein Campus East, throughout the month”. #WitsForGood #MandelaDay
Exciting opportunity alert! 🚀 We're on the lookout for a dynamic and driven Project Manager to join our team in the world of diagnostics. If you have a passion for supporting clinical trials, research and development, and implementation programmes, this could be the perfect role for you! We're looking for someone with a knack for managing complex projects, a keen eye for detail, and the ability to work seamlessly with diverse teams. 👇 Check out the full job description and apply. #JobOpportunity #ProjectManager #Diagnostics #ClinicalTrials #ResearchAndDevelopment #JoinOurTeam
We were delighted to host the Illumina Large National Genomic Initiatives (LNGI) team at our newly launched Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) facility. This visit marks a significant step towards fostering collaborations that can leverage our multidisciplinary team's expertise in cutting-edge NGS technologies. Our facility positions us as a partner of choice for advancing genomic research and diagnostics across Africa and beyond. Through this potential partnership, we aim to support comprehensive national genome programs and promote diagnostic equity for cancer and infectious diseases using NGS, establishing our facility as a leading hub on the continent. Wits Faculty of Health Sciences IDORI (Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute) Wendy Susan Stevens Gillian Hunt Pascale Willem Maria Papathanasopoulos Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood Shabnam Zavahir Bridget Mogale Wayne Barnes Sherilyn Lim Gabriel Kolle #wholegenomesequencing #oncology #cancerdiagnostics #precisionmedicine #infectiousdiseases #TB #WHO
Join Wits DIH in celebrating the Move for Health Day! 🌍 . This is a World Health Organization led activity aimed to spotlight the essential connection between physical exercise and preventing noncommunicable diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and certain types of cancers. In support of this global move, our organization is proud to have launched Fitness Fridays💪🏋️♂️, a wellness initiative focused on fostering physical well-being and a culture of health and wellness within our team. #ActiveLifestyle #HealthyLiving #HealthyHeart #MoveWithWits #DiabetesPrevention #PreventNCDs #HealthyHabits
Bridging the Gender Gap in Leadership: Wits DIH at the Forefront According to the 2023 UN Women report, only 24% of leadership roles worldwide are held by women. This statistic underscores the persistent gender disparities in the workplace. At Wits DIH, we are committed to changing this narrative by advancing women into leadership positions. We were therefore proud to have sent two of our distinguished female leaders to participate in the 2024 WomenLift Health Global Conference in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania earlier this month. This conference focused on overcoming challenges that hinder women's advancement in leadership and advocated for inclusive leadership to strengthen global health systems. Representing Wits DIH were Anura David, Senior Medical Scientist in our Research and Development Division, and Portia Sejake, Implementation Lead for large-scale laboratory medicine programs across Africa. Their participation not only contributes to their professional growth but also strengthens our commitment to promoting gender equality in leadership. To read more about the WomenLift Health Global Conference, click here: https://lnkd.in/d5Xy8aaJ #letwomenlead #womenlift2024 #womenleaders #womeninhealth #womenempowerment
Celebrating World Water Day 2024: Water for Peace. Today, as we mark World Water Day, the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub, in collaboration with our technology partner, Mezzanine, takes a moment to reaffirm our commitment to pioneering digital solutions for water sanitation. Our collaborative efforts are a testament to the synergy between technology and sustainability, contributing significantly to the One Health and Pandemic Preparedness framework. Our journey began in 2017 with the inception of eLABS, a groundbreaking digital health innovation. Conceived from the critical need to remotely monitor HIV Viral Load samples—from collection to result delivery—eLABS has revolutionised the way we approach health diagnostics, offering a significant reduction in turnaround times and enhancing promptness in healthcare interventions. Today, eLABS is used by over 28,000 healthcare professionals across more than 3,500 health facilities in South Africa and Zambia, providing capabilities to register, geolocate, track, trace, and communicate patient test results effectively. The versatility of the platform extends beyond HIV diagnostics, accommodating various health assessments, including those critical for water quality. In the spirit of World Water Day, we highlight eLABS’ capability to detect early indicators of waterborne pathogens, allowing for precise and targeted interventions. The platform’s integration into national water surveillance systems empowers policymakers with the tools to anticipate and address waterborne pathogen outbreaks before they occur. As we continue to navigate the challenges of ensuring safe water for all, the Wits Diagnostic Innovation Hub and Mezzanine remain dedicated to innovating for a healthier, more sustainable world. Together, we stride towards a future where technology and collaboration pave the way for water security and peace. Mezzanine Wendy Susan Stevens Peter Breitenbach Jacques de Vos Talitha Newton Dale Sandberg Kumbirai Chigudu Portia Sejake, MBA Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood
Congratulations to our Executive Director on receiving the SAMRC Gold medal award! This is the 10th year of the SAMRC's scientific merit awards commending researchers for their outstanding contributions to health research. Check out the video below for a look at the organisation Professor Wendy Stevens is spearheading. https://lnkd.in/dwiMEVdF https://lnkd.in/dB_ARnD2 #SAMRC #innovation #research #healthscience Wendy Susan Stevens Lesley Scott Glenda Gray Jaya George Lucia Hans Gillian Hunt Pascale Willem Vidya Keshav, PhD Riffat Munir Anura David Annelize Brits Lara Noble Kim Steegen Kumbirai Chigudu Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood Blessing Kadira Adriano Duse
Join us in celebrating International Women's Day! As a women-led organisation, the Wits DIH is committed to promoting gender equality and eliminating discrimination. Although the proportion of women in science has increased in recent years, disparity remains. Women are still published in lesser numbers in South African institutions (Mouton et al. 2022). Extensive collective efforts are needed to forge women's empowerment. https://lnkd.in/ddbNq3eB The Wits DIH will continue to contribute by training and empowering as many women as possible. #IWD2024 #InspireInclusion Wendy Susan Stevens Lesley Scott Jaya George Lara Noble Lucia Hans Gillian Hunt Pascale Willem Vidya Keshav, PhD Riffat Munir Anura David Lynsey Stewart-Isherwood