The Global Diagnostics Coalition (GDC) convened leaders from government, global health, civil society, industry and partner organizations at the World Health Summit 2026 to advance collective action to close persistent gaps in access to diagnostic services.

Diagnostics are fundamental to quality health care, universal health coverage, health security and pandemic preparedness. Yet 47% of the world’s population still lacks access to a timely, reliable diagnosis, limiting opportunities for early detection, treatment, and effective care.

Opening the event with a video message, WHO Director-General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus emphasized that resilient health systems must be built before crises occur, with the capacity to detect and respond to health threats while meeting everyday health needs. “Without timely and accurate diagnostics, we’re flying blind,” he said.

Against the World Health Summit theme of moving from crisis to resilience, participants examined how to translate growing recognition of the diagnostic gap into country-led implementation and stronger, more integrated diagnostic systems.